The Latics chairman reveals a deal has been made.
It looks as if Everton’s appointment of Roberto Martinez as the club’s new manager is not far away as the Toffees agree a compensation pay-out with Wigan Athletic.
Latics chairman Dave Whelan has confirmed that his opposite number Bill Kenwright has negotiated a deal with the club, after Whelan agreed to let Martinez leave the DW Stadium this summer.
“Bill Kenwright and myself have agreed a deal,” the Wigan chairman told BBC Sport.
“He can now talk to Everton, so he is free to do a deal if he wants.”
The 39-year-old could now be announced as the new boss at Goodison Park within the next 48 hours, as all signs point towards the Spaniard being appointed.
Everton themselves have declined to comment on whether Martinez will be their next manager as it’s thought they were keeping their options open, with FC Porto’s Vitor Pereira, German coach Ralf Rangnick and former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also in the running.
Yet the ex-Wigan boss is now head of the pack to replace David Moyes, after the Scot ended his 11-year tenure at the club to succeed the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.
Martinez spent three years with the Latics following a successful spell in charge of Swansea City previously and helped the club avoid relegation in back-to-back seasons, as well as leading them to the first FA Cup victory in their history with an unlikely 1-0 win over Manchester City in the 2013 final.
However, the likeable manager decided not to stay with the club following their relegation to the Championship this season and now looks set to make the step up to consistently top 10 side Everton.
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