Roberto Martinez’s interview with Spanish sports paper, AS, appeared on their website on Sunday. The interview was in a Q&A format where he was asked questions concerning how Wigan could compete financially, about television revenue in English football and who inspired him. Martinez claimed Liverpool were too reliant on Gerrard on Torres, that Valencia isn’t good enough to replace Ronaldo and that Wigan’s victory over Chelsea was “magnificent”.
However, amongst these questions AS magazine apparently slotted in another which asked about Sir Alex Ferguson, although Martinez “categorically denies” this is the case. He didn’t say that the FA had practically apologised for charging Ferguson, he didn’t say that Ferguson had his group of faithful coaches in Steve Bruce and Sam Allardyce, he didn’t say Allardyce fancied the United job, and he certainly didn’t say another managed would have been “crushed” for doing what Ferguson had done.
“It is not in my nature to be outspoken,” Martinez said today. “I have the utmost respect for Sir Alex Ferguson, Sam Allardyce, Steve Bruce and Rafael Benitez. Sir Alex is probably the best manager in the world while Steve has worked under him and we have a good relationship as he worked at Wigan before me. As for Sam I respect his achievements and what he has done in the Premier League. I also respect Rafa as he is one of the most successful Spanish managers ever.”
I think Martinez may have just learnt a very important lesson as it’s hard to believe that he didn’t say what he’s been quoted as saying. I can’t imagine the FA’s dealings with Sir Alex Ferguson is of much interest to the Spanish press so it certainly seems an odd thing for them to fabricate but you can make your own mind up on that.
Check out the transcript of Martinez’s interview with AS.
why does it matter? to be honest i dont rate him at all… rubbish manager… rodallega is showing a spark though isnt he?
i dont believe that he didnt say all those negative comments about SAF.All i want to say is martinez should realise that he is nowhere near SAF and certainly is not the right man to make comments about what SAF does.
Agree though.SAF is undoubtedly the best manager in the world.
I don’t know why we’re on about this, we’ve got other things like our team to think about, small time player … forget it.
I also wonder why the spanish paper would fabricate his answers, so it’s very likely he said something of the sort. If this was the case then he’s a attention-seeking hypocrite.
No point thinking about other team manager. We all know about our team and concern of our team is enough. Let them do the talking while we collect our trophies.
henrik larrsons retired
fergies message to him at @ 3:11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9LpWAGNw44&feature=player_embedded
i dont see why this warrants an us vs them mentality. the comments in this section attacking martinez’ integrity for attacking SAF are pretty sad. There is no denying Fergie is a rude, loudmouth prick. he’s a phenomenal manager, but that doesn’t make him beyond criticism. i personally hate how he is somehow above it all, and that he were a a nicer guy.
“There is no denying Fergie is a rude, loudmouth prick.”
The fact is he is a gentleman of the game like Sir Bobby Robson.
He isn’t a “rude loudmouth prick” as you put it but just speaks as he sees and what the fuck is wrong with that? He is always taken out of context. You only have to watch him at his press conferences. The media despite what they say love the fucking man. He plays them all like a fiddle. He is also a very compassionate and kind man as many people in the game would testify. A “loudmouth PRICK” he is not.
Fuck you neli g.Have some respect for SAF.
seen a band last night called stairway to zeppelin
good band but they really try to make money off the name of band a hell of a lot better than them. yes they can play a riff but there no jimmy page.
this guy may be a premier league manager
but he cant play a solo like SIR Alex Ferguson
so what does he do
he tries to make a name for himself off the name of a manager so much better than him
FA should charge Martinez. After all he did slight the FA.
Football managers, football fans, the media are unadmittedly obsessed with SAF, analytical of everything that comes out of the man’s mouth and basically in awe of him. Full stop.
slow day today scott?
@hurdy gurdy man
if you wanted to kill time check out darron gibson who finally has a chant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptFwxyk3kRw
Let’s look 4ward,past d distraction of a budding manager.He’s denied it.That doesn’t take d honour away from SAF an inch.VIVA UNITED!
Hmmm I think he said it off record, not thinking it would be pulished! Anyway so what, it’s good if a person speaks their mind, otherwise we would have really boring managers like… Mark Hughes!
@ghtt
How long does it take you to teach her all these chants. brilliant.
Fergie is the best manager in footbal so far.i believe in him & respect all that he has achieved.
hurdy gurdy man
i just sing them a few times and thats that
Martinez is a promising young manager and we shouldn’t be too arrogant about him. Fergie began at humbler places than Swansea or Wigan. I’m sure he did say those things, and probably believes them too, but is now very embarrassed. It’ll be a useful fiction all round to say that he was ‘mis-quoted’ or ‘quoted out of comntext’. I don’t believe a word of it, personally,but then, I couldn’t care less. The hysteria about United and Fergie is building up nicely, with Winter and ‘Greasy’ Poll lining up amongst ex-refs to attack him on a weekly basis, while rival managers like Martinez opportunistically try to join in. There will come a tipping point when everyone starts to say that Fergie is maybe getting unfair treatment and then things will ease off for a while. Probably till the next Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Nothing was lost in translation, so Martinez surely must have said what he said.
At the end of the day, who cares if he gangs up with FSW.
This is a matter for the FA, but them being spineless don’t hold your breath.
Does anyone know when the Wigan game tix go on sale?
I’m flying into Manchester specifically for the game (gotta meet my girlfriends parents in Ireland after but United hirst haha)
I just need 1 ticket. Any help?
RedDeviled Egg
new years eve mate
good luck talking your misses around for that
fergie is the greatest manager of all time. then second i could say Sir Matt. fuck graham poll i’ve heard that wazza once swore at him about 30 times in a few seconds a few seasons back. fucking cunt. also that fat geordie cunt should shut the fuck up. his slating of fergie is sickening. i think martinez wouldn’t say that he looks like a humble manager he is even new and i don’t believe he would say that sort of thing i’d expect the fsw to do that with his FACTS! anyway those dirty spanish lying newspapers always come up with shit and this is no different i’d say.
Anyone know what time the reserves kick off against liverpool?
Doherty
IM NOT SURE THE PRE MATCH IS ON NOW ID SAY 7 BUT IT COULD BE 6:45
Kickoff is at 7pm
No 1 is better than Sir Alex ok get that people!
liverpool bench
brought to you by spain
come on brandy, also my man whoI have copy righted the nickname
Ctrl Alt De leat, get your own bloody nick names ha ha ha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCKbbeHgAVc
Hehe GHTT I refer to him only as Ctrl Alt now.
the greatest manager ever.
A lot of people talk the talk but only Fergie has walked the fucking walk and then some.
Lets just say while these people will be forgotten in 5 years Sir Alex will never be.
It would be mature to take the high road. But its too much fun to ask them all to eat a bag of dicks