Martinez flies to Miami for Reds talks as Whelan demands £3m
LIVERPOOL have taken a step closer to appointing a successor to Kenny Dalglish after Wigan’s Roberto Martinez flew to the United States for talks.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan, who is demanding £3m compensation, said Martinez had broken off a holiday to visit the Reds’ owners, Fenway Sports Group, in Florida.
The Spaniard is thought to be one of several names on Liverpool’s shortlist to replace Dalglish, who was sacked last week for the club’s poor Premier League results.
“I got a phone call this morning and Roberto was on his way to America,” said Whelan. “He’s flying down to Miami and is meeting Liverpool now. I didn’t ask him what he has decided to do but I told him I wanted it sorted out sooner rather than later.”
Martinez, 38, fits the criteria of young, attack-minded coach that Liverpool are believed to have identified. The former Swansea manager has kept Wigan in the top-flight on a budget and this year led them to a dramatic escape, beating Manchester United and Arsenal along the way.
Swansea’s Brendan Rogers and Ajax boss Frank de Boer have rebuffed FSG’s advances, while former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has dropped out of the running. Veteran Dutch coach Louis van Gaal has been linked with a role, possibly as director of football, in a revised structure.