Martinez refuses to be drawn on future

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez refused to comment on his future following his side’s relegation to the Championship.

Wigan finished their season with a 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa, to conclude a turbulent week that has seen Martinez’s side experience both FA Cup glory and Premier League relegation.

Darren Bent gave Villa an early lead before an Emmerson Boyce header and a Nathan Baker own goal sent Wigan into the break 2-1 ahead.

A superb volley from Ron Vlaar in the second half meant that the points were shared, and after the game Martinez insisted that his future was not a critical issue.

“That’s not the important thing,” he said. “The important thing is that we’ve won the FA Cup, the important thing is we’ve got an incredible group of players, the football club is in the most solid position that we have ever been and we’re ready to bounce back.

“We’ll sit down with the chairman and decide what’s best for Wigan. I can guarantee you whoever is the manager has got a bright future.

“Sometimes it’s good to have a little breathing space and reflect and make sure we sit down and make the right decision.”

Martinez went on to underline the positives to come out of the season.

“The future is extremely bright, now we need to celebrate,” he added. “We need to take the FA Cup to the town because there was an incredible sense of belief. We’ll enjoy that.”

Martinez admitted that it was difficult to describe the week that his side had experienced.

“It’s been an emotional week,” he continued. “We are a unique football club and it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions this week.

“On Saturday we had the highest moment that we had at the football club and on Tuesday we had the lowest moment, because I never expected to get relegated. That came as a real shock.”

Martinez also insisted that the club will come back stronger next year, despite having a much fuller fixture list.

“Next season for Wigan is an incredible campaign,” he said. “We’re going to be in Europe, straight into the group stages so that means six games guaranteed in one of the most glamorous ties in Europe.

“We have to defend the FA Cup, we have to be involved in the League Cup, and then you’re involved in a competition where you’ve got 46 games (the Championship).”

With so many games to contend with, Martinez acknowledged that his squad will need strengthening in the summer.

“It’s going to be a big summer,” he said. “We have to bring in more players than go out. We’ll be playing Thursday, Saturday and Tuesday in games that all have strong meaning so we have to be prepared for that.

“We need to look back and make a lot of big decisions. Whatever is decided for me is not important, whatever will happen at Wigan will be very good, I’m convinced about that.”