Everton: Time Is Right for Roberto Martinez to Make Step Up and Replace Moyes

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay shuffled awkwardly in his seat as he was asked by host Gary Lineker about succeeding David Moyes at Everton on Match of the Day on Sunday night.

The former Celtic defender, along with fellow analyst Michael Laudrup, had been ambushed as they discussed with Lineker and Mark Lawrenson the departure of Moyes to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

Moyes had been given a warm salute by Everton supporters after his final home game in charge of the club but thoughts were now fixed on who would succeed the Scot at Goodison Park.

Mackay, who has guided the Bluebirds into the Premier League for the first time, appeared comfortable at first as Lineker probed, offering the cliched platitudes of "very flattering" and "concentrating on my job" to the questioning.

When the former Everton and Barcelona striker asked, "Is that a definitive no, then?", Mackay insisted instead it was an "ask Michael."

Mackay is among the favourites for the role with bookmakers along with Celtic manager Neil Lennon (Odds Checker).

But the runaway leader in the betting odds lies down the M58 in West Lancashire.

On Saturday, Roberto Martinez became the first Wigan Athletic manager to lift a major trophy, something which eluded Moyes throughout his tenure at Everton.

The manner of the victory was also impressive to Everton supporters, although it was aided by an insipid Manchester City display which may end up costing Roberto Mancini his job (Sky News).

In the aftermath of the 2-0 win over West Ham, Everton chairman Bill Kenwright claimed the club would wait until the end of the season before deciding which route to follow (Sky Sports).

However, the club had insisted that the search for a new manager would begin "immediately" in the wake of Moyes' decision to join United (EvertonFC.com).

Reading between the lines, that change in strategy could easily be construed as Kenwright looking toward another top-flight manager who currently has a job. Alternatively, it can also be viewed that the Goodison chairman's interview on Sunday included an off-the-cuff remark.

Either way, Martinez may prove to be out of reach if Wigan fail to win at Arsenal on Tuesday night.

The Latics have flirted dangerously with relegation from the top flight on several occasions since promotion in 2005 and are now four points from safety with two games remaining.

Martinez, who has been at the DW Stadium since 2009, has a strong bond with chairman Dave Whelan—a relationship which was cemented with the FA Cup win.

If Wigan are relegated by Arsenal on Tuesday or Aston Villa on Sunday, Martinez will be left with a dilemma.

Does he leave without attempting to bring them back for one season or does he see the Everton role as his next logical step?

There is an argument for both sides, but the FA Cup triumph might just be enough for Martinez to leave without his conscience being pricked.

The former Wigan, Swansea and Motherwell midfielder turned down Aston Villa's approach in 2011 (The Guardian), but it is his decision to reject Liverpool last year (Metro) which will guarantee approval with Everton supporters in the short term.

Whelan was swift to counter any Everton approach after the cup final (Daily Telegraph), but while Martinez has a genuine respect for his chairman after he brought him to English football as a player in 1995 (ESPN), he has a career to consider at the age of 39.

Whelan has seen some major names thwarted in their attempt to wrest his manager from Wigan, but his luck—much like that of his team—may be about to run out.