History Indicates Just How Difficult Martinez's Job at Wigan Will Be

During his initial stint at Wigan Athletic, Roberto Martinez was referred to as one of the “Three Amigos.”

Now, at 35, he is on the verge of returning as manager in one of the world’s most cut-throat leagues. The English Premier League is a steep learning curve for any new manager and Martinez may soon discover there is nothing friendly about it.

Arriving at an established Premier League team and maintaining a level of stability can be one of the most difficult jobs in football—just ask Paul Ince, Tony Adams or even Gareth Southgate.

Ince is a classic example. He did a magnificent job in the lower leagues, like Martinez, and was heralded as one of the bright young things just as Martinez is now. Within the space of four months, Ince’s reputation was tarnished and although it may not be irreparable, a significant black mark has been placed on his CV.

When potential suitors now weigh up Ince it is not the miraculous job he did at Macclesfield or the equally superb task he performed at Milton Keynes Dons that will be at the forefront of their mind.

It will be his torrid three months in charge of Blackburn.

History has plenty of other examples of those who have lost their managers and gone on to descend at an alarming rate. Only last year Portsmouth were FA Cup winners before Harry Redknapp jumped ship and they nearly sank to The Championship. Charlton and Bolton have also suffered varying degrees of trouble after their managers had departed.

Despite being entrenched in plenty of relegation battles in the past, Steve Bruce had built a side which was pushing for Europe last season. He had managed to scour the globe and find some of the world’s brightest talent for cut-price fees.

Now with Bruce gone, Wigan face an interesting season with a new a manager at the helm. Martinez’s job will not be made any easier without Emile Heskey, Wilson Palacios, Amir Zaki and in all likelihood Antonio Valencia.

Martinez is, however, clearly an articulate individual. His intelligence and knowledge of the game have been highlighted whenever he has appeared on Sky’s Revista De La Liga. His Swansea side were lauded for their aesthetically pleasing approach and his time in Wales was hugely successful.

The Spaniard has regularly returned to his native country for players and this will be a big advantage for him at his new club, particularly if and when the funds are made available from any deal done for Valencia.

His previous ties with the club have made him a fan-favourite and this will provide Martinez with the time, support and freedom to insert his own beliefs into the team, luxuries which Ince did not get.

He will be keen not to repeat the mistakes of Ince and Adams and continue to build on his growing reputation. The Premier League is however a brutal industry and reputations are destroyed far quicker than they are made. Watching Martinez’s story unravel next season may be one of the more interesting Premier League plots.