Roberto Martinez had an offer to take over at Aston Villa. Bigger club. Bigger supporter base. More money to spend. Europa League ambitions. Darren Bent and others. But he stayed loyal to his chairman David Whelan by rejecting the move and staying at Wigan.
He’s being lauded as a ‘breath of fresh air,’ from media pundits and fans alike, and while I certainly respect the man’s decision to stay loyal, I want to take a step back here, and offer a new view of the situation. You can call it loyal. I call it ‘smart.’ And here’s why:
- Aston Villa are losing their best player Ashley Young, any day now, to Manchester United
- Health problems or not, Aston Villa did not treat Gerard Houllier too amazingly, and he was rushed out the door. Before that, it was Martin O’Neill who departed after alleged arguments with the owner Randy Lerner. There is a history, then, of manager disagreement with the board.
- By all accounts, Wigan’s Chairman David Whelan is the best boss in the game. Why should Martinez leave? Furthermore, by showing he is ‘loyal’ and sticking with Wigan (by the way Martinez got a 3-year contract extension this week with a substantial pay rise for not taking the Villa job) Martinez has the chance to continue being a “success,” with very little pressure. 15th place for Wigan next season and Wigan fans are happy. 9th – 12th place for Aston Villa with their transfer budget, and it’s “not good enough.”
- Charles N’Zogbia. If Martinez can keep him at Wigan, he has a top quality Premier League star with him. Even if he can’t, his roster isn’t too shabby with the likes of Rodallega, the superb Al Habsi, Alcaraz, Figueroa, and others who have played very well in the top tier. If Martinez can get Tom Cleverley back on loan from Manchester United next season and keep N’Zogbia he will have a great set of midfield playmakers.
Of course, Aston Villa have more money. Of course, they have a star studded roster. But a move for Martinez, while a slight step up, would not be like taking charge of a team in Europe – and would not provide the managerial comfort or lack of pressure he enjoys at Wigan while he hones his craft as a young manager. Remember, he is only 37 years old.
Three more years of keeping Wigan in the Premier League and perhaps making a league or FA Cup run to the semi-final or final, and he will be a hero forever, and command a Top 7 job in a host of European countries – the Premier League, La Liga, etc.
Is that ‘loyal’ or just smart? I think it’s the latter. A smart man, taking his decisions slowly, and knowing that he can continue succeeding under the radar and avoid any managerial blemishes in case he finishes, say, 13th or 12th, with a new team and new ownership that say ‘that’s not good enough.’
Wigan’s fantasy studs next season will surely include N’Zogbia (if he stays) and potentially Al-Habsi and Rodallega, and I’m excited to see what Martinez can continue to do as he raises his profile in the English game.
Don’t call it loyal. Call it smart. He received more money. He received a contract extension. He will now be loved forever by fans and the media alike – which will take major pressure off of him and his team if they are in a relegation battle again, and he will still be a diamond in the rough waiting to take hold of a ‘bigger’ club in 2-3 years time.
The naive media need to wake up a bit and realize Martinez just pulled a fast one on them, and good for him, as I hope to benefit with Al-Habsi between the sticks for my fantasy team next season.
Well done, Roberto.
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Let’s not forget his previous show of loyalty to Swansea…
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