Whelan Refuses To Pay Extra For Backroom Staff

Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan is refusing to pay out extra compensation money for Swansea City's backroom staff.

Roberto Martinez still hasn't officially confirmed his move to the JJB Stadium because a fee hasn't been agreed for them to sign assistant Graeme Jones and chief scout Kevin Reeves.

Huw Jenkins has every right to expect compensation for the duo as they are under contract and are both valuable members of the managerial staff.

Graeme Jones has helped Martinez immensely during his 2 year spell at Swansea while money has been spent to allow Kevin Reeves to travel across Europe, spotting talented new signings at low cost. It would be highly unfortunate for ourselves if we lost them, and if we do, we deserve some money in return, just like we've agreed on with Roberto.

Whelan has little respect for Huw Jenkins and doesn't care about whether or not they appoint our backroom staff to join Martinez at Wigan, he said:

"The Swansea chairman is being very difficult, I think he's being most unfair."

'We want Roberto Martinez. We've agreed terms with him, we've agreed compensation with Swansea and if the other members of staff don't want to come or Swansea won't release them, that's fine by us. We're not paying a fee for any other members of staff.'

Whelan could well be under-estimating both Jones and Reeves and how much they've helped Martinez during his 2 years as a manager.

Huw Jenkins has responded to Whelan's comments. One thing is for certain and that is Martinez will be joining Wigan, whether or not he's joined by Reeves and Jones.

"I think the fact a couple of things were not sorted out is irrelevant to Roberto leaving our club,"

"He has made his thoughts clear. He was in Wigan at the press conference to unveil him as their new manager.

"The issue is that we want fair compensation for two employees that we have invested a lot of time and money in.

"I spoke to Roberto on Thursday night and he understands that.

"It hasn`t changed my rapport with him. This was not about Roberto and Swansea, it is an issue we have with Wigan."

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