Congratulations to Roberto Martinez...
FORMER Saddlers’ midfielder, Roberto Martinez, can add FA Cup winner to his ever-developing managerial CV after guiding Wigan Athletic to victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup Final at the weekend.The Spaniard arrived at Bescot Stadium from Scottish outfit, Motherwell, in readiness for the 2002/03 season and whilst he only made six League appearances for the club – the majority coming off the substitutes’ bench – he was used by manager, Colin Lee, as his eyes up in the stand where his tactical knowledge and attention to detail was already starting to mark him out as a potential manager of the future.
Martinez was allowed to link-up with Swansea City at the turn of 2003, initially on loan, before joining the Welsh outfit on a permanent basis and helping them win promotion and The Football League Trophy.
He then had a fruitful playing spell at Chester City before returning to the Liberty Stadium as manager in February 2007 and guiding the club into The Championship.
His managerial talents were picked up by Wigan Athletic, the club who first brought him to these shores as a player in 1995, in the summer of 2009 as he was handed the opportunity to manage in the top-flight.
Whilst Martinez may not have chalked up a large number of appearances for the club, he has still played his part in our recent history and everyone here at Banks’s Stadium congratulate him and his team on their great achievement