Martinez Signs New Contract

Roberto Martinez`s reward for steering Swansea City to the second tier of British football for the first time in 24 years is a bumper contract extension.

It will keep the Spaniard at the Liberty Stadium beyond 2010 which is when his current deal expires.

Martinez over the course of the season has taken league football by storm accomplishing the first step in his master plan within those 18 months.

Ultimately the ambition for a club bracing itself for the rigours of Championship it to mount a challenge on the first tier in the football pyramid, the premier league.

In his first post as a manager Martinez nearly secured the club a place in the play off`s last season but Oldham Athletic secured the last spot thanks to a 6-3 loss to Blackpool at the Liberty stadium on the 5th May 2007. Since then his reputation has gone from strength to strength earning himself accolades from within and outside of the sport.

Confessing he see`s the working relationship with the club as a long term plan , Martinez has remained pragmatic about his future with the club and will continue so long as the aims of the club are realised.

Martinez told the BBC: