Roberto Martinez leaves Wigan, set for Everton talks

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Roberto Martinez has been given the green light to open talks with Everton after asking to leave his job as Wigan Athletic manager, Latics chairman Dave Whelan announced on Tuesday.

The Spaniard led Wigan to a shock victory over Manchester City in this season's FA Cup final, but the club were then relegated from the Premier League.

"He wanted permission to move, so I've given that," Whelan told BBC Sport. "He has 12 months left on his contract, so whoever comes in for him must pay the remainder of his contract.

"He feels he's not the man to lead us into the Premier League. I've got to accept what he feels. He loves Wigan and the fans. We have to move on now and want applications for the job."

Martinez has been strongly linked with the vacancy at Everton created by David Moyes' appointment as Manchester United manager, and Whelan revealed that he has authorised the Merseyside club to make an approach.

"Everton rang me and I said they have permission to talk to him," Whelan said.

Martinez, 39, spent six years at Wigan as a player and returned to the club as manager in 2009 after a two-year spell with Swansea City.

Under Martinez, Wigan garnered plaudits for the attractive quality of their football and became renowned for pulling off last-ditch escapes from relegation.

They survived the drop on the last day of the season in 2011 and repeated the feat a year later after a remarkable run of seven wins in their last nine games.