Is Roberto Martinez the right man to manage Liverpool?

After the news emerged on Thursday that Liverpool have been granted permission by Wigan Athletic to talk to Roberto Martinez about becoming new Liverpool manager, we thought we’d question whether Roberto Martinez is really the right man to take over as Liverpool boss? Several names have been mentioned over the last few days as potential candidates for the Liverpool manager’s job, following the sacking of Kenny Dalglish earlier this week. Ruud Gullit, Pep Guardiola, Roberto Martinez, Brendan Rodgers and even ex-reds boss Rafa Benitez have all been tipped as candidates. But who do Liverpool fans is the right man to take over the reigns from King Kenny?

Wigan Chairman Dave Whelan confirmed in an interview with talkSPORT:

“I was sat with Roberto at the time of the call from Liverpool…..I agreed on the spot to allow Roberto to speak to them. We won’t stand in his way.”

Martinez was allowed to speak to Aston Villa last summer during the Birmingham club’s search for a new manager, but eventually opted to stay at Wigan, so he’s not afraid to turn down an opportunity if he doesn’t feel it’s right. Villa eventually opted for Alex McLeish, but the Scot was sacked following Villa’s dismal 2011 / 2012 Premier League campaign.

Former Liverpool player Gary McAllister also spoke to talkSPORT about Martinez, suggesting that the Wigan boss would not be able to attract the top talent Liverpool need to become a top Premier League club again. McAllister’s argument suggests that Roberto Martinez is an up and coming manager, rather than an established manager and points to the fact that big managers who have earned worldwide acclaim due to their success are the ones who can attract the top names in world football. McAllister added:

“Roberto Martinez is up and coming, there is no doubt about that. The major thing that Martinez has got in his favour is the style of play, he’s very forward thinking, he’s quite inventive and I think that’s a plus.

“There is also the problem of whether he can attract the type of player that Liverpool need to get into the Champions League.

“I think in the past Liverpool was Liverpool but now I think that top players are attracted by top managers, managers that have been and done the distance.

McAllister’s argument about Martinez has similarities to the points that Mark Lawrenson made about Liverpool earlier this season, where Lawrenson stated that until Liverpool become a Champions League club again, they won’t be able to attract Champions League players.

What to you think? Is McAllister right? Are Liverpool barking up the wrong tree with Roberto Martinez? Have your say below and join the debate.