Newcastle United are readying a bid to make Roberto Martinez their new manager, according to The Sun.
The newspaper claim on their website that Mike Ashley is preparing a lucrative offer for the Belgium head coach, which will include a pay rise to his basic salary that is currently under £1million-per-year.
The Sun report that Belgium officials fear the worst over any deal, with Ashley wanting any potential new boss at St James’ Park to have either played or managed in the Premier League before.
Martinez has a wealth of Premier League experience through his management career, with the 45-year-old having won the FA Cup at Wigan, and also guiding Everton to fifth-place in the top-flight.
OPINION
Going after Martinez would definitely be the right decision by Ashley. Newcastle need a manager that has top-flight experience now more than ever after the departure of Rafael Benitez. Martinez’ most successful spell at Everton saw him manage 143 games, with a point per game average of 1.56. [Transfermarkt] The Spaniard also succeeded at Wigan, where he was on the sort of budget any prospective Newcastle manager would be. This will no doubt be a massive project for whoever takes over at the top, who may well need to rebuild after a potential summer exodus. The question that springs to mind will always be, do the Magpies offer any manager enough to leave the current job they’re in? At this moment in time, not really. The club’s main striker, Ayoze Perez is expected to leave the club in the coming days, leaving the new boss with only Dwight Gayle and Joselu as his striking options. Assurances will need to be made, but should Ashley or the new potential owners offer a healthy transfer budget, Martinez could well be tempted by a return to England.
