It is understood Wigan boss has not made up his mind completely
whether to accept the challenge and has given himself until Tuesday
to do so
It's mine! Kenny Dalglish challenges Roberto
Martinez for the ball
Roberto Martinez will announce on Tuesday
whether he will become Liverpool's new manager.
The Spaniard has been heavily linked with the Anfield
job since Kenny Dalglish was fired a fortnight ago.
Wigan boss Martinez met Liverpool owner John Henry in
Miami last week and has jetted to the Carribbean for a family
break.
Wigan will hold a press conference this week in which
Martinez is expected to announce whether or not he will stay at the
club.
The 38-year-old met Liverpool's owners in Miami on
Thursday to discuss the managerial vacancy and was not put off by
the huge challenge that would face any new manager.
However, it is understood Martinez has not made up his
mind completely whether to accept that challenge and has given
himself until Tuesday to do so.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan claimed on Friday the
Spaniard had received an offer from Liverpool's principal owner
John Henry after their meeting in Miami on Thursday.
Doubts emerged over Whelan's interpretation of the
situation, with the Reds refusing to comment amid the general
belief no formal offer had been made.
Martinez's appointment would doubtless divide opinion
among Liverpool supporters, some of whom may have been expecting a
bigger name to be recruited to replace the sacked Kenny
Dalglish.
Steven Gerrard: behind Martinez
But captain Steven Gerrard has already pledged
his full support to Martinez should he get the job.
Gerrard, was a big supporter of Dalglish but
cautiously welcomed the idea of Martinez taking charge.
"We'll have to wait and see," said the midfielder.
"My focus has been on the game. I'm aware Roberto
Martinez has been talking to the club but all I've heard about him
is positive.
"If he is going to be the manager, he's got my full
support."
Throughout the process, Whelan has insisted it was not
a foregone conclusion he would lose his manager to the club's north
west rivals, claiming there were still some issues - mainly
surrounding working under a technical director - to be overcome
before Martinez would even be in a position to accept.
If anyone knows what's going on, it's Dave Whelan
"He went to Miami and had a very constructive
meeting with the owner of Liverpool," the Latics chairman told Sky
Sports News.
"They're going to talk again on Tuesday. They've made
Roberto an offer and he has agreed to consider it.
"He's said, 'What are my responsibilities?' These are
American owners and the rules and regulations are a bit different
from what we English set down.
"Roberto is a seven-days-a-week, 12-hours-a-day worker
and I don't know whether they realise how hard he works.
"He has rules and regulations to be fully in charge of
football and I know he won't move anywhere unless he is fully in
charge of the football.
"I think he'll give it fair consideration. Hopefully,
he stays with us but, wherever he goes, he's 100% dedicated to that
football club."
Liverpool, who have also been linked with former
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas and Swansea's Brendan Rodgers, are
looking to finalise the technical director post, with which
Dutchman Louis van Gaal has been linked.
