Wigan Athletic: Roberto Martinez expected to stay - Dave Whelan

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Roberto Martinez; Dave Whelan

Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan expects manager Roberto Martinez to stay with the FA Cup winners.

Spaniard Martinez, who led the Latics to a first major trophy on Saturday, is a front-runner to replace Manchester United-bound David Moyes at Everton.

"Roberto consistently says I love Wigan, I will stay with Wigan," Whelan, 76, told Radio 5 live's Sportsweek.

"When the time comes, he will leave for a big club, but at present I think he might just stay with Wigan."

Wigan have two matches to salvage their Premier League status, currently lying in the relegation zone, three points adrift of safety.

But, ahead of their visit to Arsenal on Tuesday night, Whelan is confident the club will not allow their FA Cup success to take the focus off their league fight.

Media caption,

Wigan "deserved" FA Cup final victory - Martinez

"The big fight is to stay up, the second thing is Roberto will make his own mind up, I do not make anything for him," said Whelan.

"We have two massive games. Last night our boys went home, they knew they had to go to straight to bed, no messing about. Our boys, no celebration, no anything, just dedicated to the task of keeping Wigan in the Premier League.!

Saturday's Wembley triumph was a poignant moment for Whelan, who broke his leg while playing for Blackburn Rovers in the 1960 FA Cup final against Wolves.

Ben Watson's injury-time headed goal was enough to seal a deserved victory against Manchester City for the underdogs.

"It was unbelievable," Whelan said. "I thought we played fantastically well. I did celebrate a bit last night . My wife and I went out with my daughter, my friends and directors of Wigan.

"It is a special day for Wigan. Your feelings can never be expressed. Our boys totally and utterly deserved it, I thought we outplayed Manchester City across the whole of the game."

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