Celtic Want Martinez As New Manager

Celtic want Roberto Martinez to take over from Gordon Strachan as their new manager at Celtic Park.

Chairman Huw Jenkins has revealed to BBC Sport that he has received an official approach from the SPL club about Roberto Martinez.

	by keith margam
"There is not one manager I can think of who could replace him and his brand of football."

Celtic missed out on the Scottish Premier League title to Rangers and as a result Gordon Strachan stepped down as manager.

Slaven Bilic and Tony Mowbray have been linked with the job while we're hoping Martinez follows in the footsteps of Everton's David Moyes and Burnley's Owen Coyle, who have both stayed loyal to their respected clubs.

Huw Jenkins said:

'I had a call off their chief executive [Peter Lawwell] making me aware that they'd like to talk to Roberto,'

'Like I've always done I refused that until I've spoken to Roberto myself and talked things through.'

'I'll probably speak to him [Martinez] between now and Wednesday but later on in the week he'll be back home to run through his thoughts with me,' Jenkins added.

'First and foremost it's about his position here and how we see that, and we'll consider all that first before any sort of what else he may do.

'I think you've got to respect... what type of club Celtic are and what opportunities exist - perhaps not in the [Scottish Premier] League but certainly in the Champions League - and the size of the club.

'Naturally I suppose that interest would require anybody to sit and consider their position.

'It's basically up to him how he sees it, I think there's certainly no possibility in us forcing any issue.

'Roberto has got to consider his future and where his commitment lies.'

Every Swansea fan in the country will be hoping that Martinez keeps his word as he said when he returned that he'll have to be forced out to leave the Swans - just like he was as a player under boss Kenny Jackett.

The Bookies have slashed their odds in the last 24 hours and he is now favourite to take over at Celtic, with odds as low as 2/1.

Martinez is obviously unproven at a level any higher than the Championship and I'm sure Celtic fans would prefer someone with a better track record and a background within the Scottish Premier League.

They'll be looking for instant success next season after missing out on the League title and League Cup, is Martinez the man to deliver that?

Martinez has watched a lot of Scottish League football since becoming a manager 2 years ago and has a long list of targets that play up there. Jason Scotland, Dorus De Vries and Stephen Dobbie signed from Scottish Division 1 sides, former Hearts winger Mikoliunas could also follow.

What are your views on this story? Will Martinez leave the club to join Celtic or will he stay in South Wales?

Celtic fans - what are your thoughts on your club wanting Martinez as your new manager?

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