Martinez focuses on Swansea future

Jan 15 2008 by Blair Wood, Western Mail

ROBERTO MARTINEZ has dismissed any speculation about a move away from the Liberty Stadium after being linked with the manager’s job at Newcastle.

The Swansea City boss admitted he was flattered by former Newcastle chief Sir John Hall mentioning him in connection with the job, but he insists he has no intention of leaving his beloved Swans.

It’s not the first time the Spaniard has been linked to a Premiership side. The same thing happened regarding his old club Wigan in November.

Martinez spent three years at Swansea as a player before leaving for Chester in the summer of 2006. But after just seven months in the north-west, he was back in South Wales, this time as the Swans manager.

The Spaniard made it clear he never wanted to leave the club as a player.. and he says the only way he will leave as a manager, is if the powers that be show him the door.

“I never left Swansea as a player, I was pushed out.” he explained. “That will have to be the same as a manager.

“I don’t think anything will come from this speculation. I said before when the Wigan rumours came out, I’m fully focused on what I want to do at this club.”

It seems strange that Martinez is being linked to Premiership clubs after less than a year in management.

But, with the Swans flying high at the top of League One, it was only a matter of time before his name was being linked to managerial vacancies.

Asked about Hall’s comments, Martinez said, “It’s a great compliment but you have to take it as one for the football club.

“When you get Swansea City noticed in one way or another it’s great for the squad, the fans and everyone involved.

“That’s how we are looking at it. We’ve got so many games that we need to keep working and use compliments like this to give us an extra boost.

“The fans should feel proud that we are getting noticed outside of South Wales, they deserve it. After that, I will just make sure we keep improving.

“When the compliment comes from a man like Sir John Hall, it’s something special. He is someone that has been in the game for many, many years and someone that is really respected.”

Despite selling his shares in Newcastle to Mike Ashley, Hall remains the Magpies life president. And, while his opinion will probably count for little in the long run, his endorsement of Martinez’s credentials is sure to be the first of many.

But what is it about Martinez that grabbed Hall’s attention? Apparently it’s the similarities he could see between the Spaniard’s management style and that of Toon Army favourite, Kevin Keegan.

The Swans boss was more than happy to accept such a comparison. And, after more than 10 years struggling to promote the virtues of free-flowing, stylish football in the lower leagues, he is finally getting the recognition his attractive approach to football deserves.

“It’s very rewarding for me,” he enthused. “It’s been my fight in the British game since 1995 when I arrived.

“I wasn’t the most physical player and I don’t think many people would have expected me to stay in the lower leagues for that period of time.

“I had to fight hard every day against certain managers who didn’t accept my way of playing or the idea I could be successful in the lower leagues.

“It was a daily battle and now I’m trying to show, as a manager, that we can be successful in the lower leagues with that style of football.

“To get that kind of recognition gives me a great feeling and encouragement to keep on doing it.”

Of course, it is highly unlikely Martinez will take over the hot-seat at St James’ Park. But it surely won’t be long before various Championship sides are knocking on Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins’ door.

And, considering Martinez only has a year-and-a-half left on his contract, fans will be hoping the club are preparing a fresh deal for the 34-year-old.

It would certainly be a good idea to avoid the managerial equivalent of the club’s recent policy of leaving players’ contract re-negotiations until the last minute.

Either way, despite the speculation, Martinez claims a new contract is the last thing on his mind.

“I took the job because of my passion for the club,” he said. “The contract is secondary to that and it’s not down to me to decide about a new one.

“I have a year and a half left on my current deal. I don’t know much about it and it was a very simple contract.

“It was a huge gamble from Huw Jenkins and the board. And it wasn’t a move I made on financial grounds.

“I haven’t spoken to anyone about a new one. Those things are not in my hands.

“It’s up to the board to make those decisions. It’s not something I will look into.

“We’ve got so many games in front of us, that it would be very careless to lose concentration.

“We just need to concentrate on making sure we do all the right things on the pitch.”