Everton confirm Martinez approach

LONDON (AFP) –

Roberto Martinez looks on before the start of Wigan's league match against Sunderland on September 29, 2012

In a file picture taken on September 29, 2012, Roberto Martinez looks on before the English Premier League football match between Sunderland and Wigan Athletic in north-east England. Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has confirmed he intends to speak to Martinez about the managerial vacancy at Goodison Park.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright on Wednesday confirmed that he intends to speak to outgoing Wigan Athletic coach Roberto Martinez about the managerial vacancy at Goodison Park.

Wigan revealed on Tuesday they had accepted Martinez’s request to leave the club and he was quickly installed as the favourite to succeed David Moyes, who is leaving Everton after 11 years to take over from Alex Ferguson as Manchester United manager.

However, although Kenwright confirmed that he intends to meet Martinez, he said the 39-year-old was one of several candidates that Everton were considering for their managerial position.

“I will meet Roberto in the next 48 hours. He is on the list, as I have always said,” Kenwright told Sky Sports News.

British media reports claim internal candidates David Weir, Phil Neville, Duncan Ferguson and Alan Stubbs have already been interviewed for the position, while Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay and Porto coach Vitor Pereira are also thought to be on Everton’s shortlist.

A former Wigan player, Martinez took charge at the DW Stadium in 2009 and after steering the club away from relegation in his first three seasons, he led them to a shock success over Manchester City in this season’s FA Cup final.

However, they were subsequently relegated from the Premier League, prompting the Spaniard to call time on his association with the club.

Moyes was given a rousing send-off by Everton’s fans after announcing his decision to leave, but Kenwright believes he has the backing of the supporters in his search for a successor to the 50-year-old Scot.

“The most gratifying thing is 90 per cent have said, ‘You didn’t let us down last time, go with your gut instinct and hopefully you’ll get it right again,’” he said.

“All I can say is there is no way that I or anyone can say, ‘We’ll get it right, we’ll get the right man,’ but I certainly will put everything into getting it right and getting the right DNA for Everton Football Club.”