Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has claimed that Roberto Martinez should hold out to join a top European club amid links with Everton.
The Spaniard has emerged as the clear favourite to succeed David Moyes at Goodison Park with the Scot widely reported that the 50-year-old was set to depart in order to take over at Manchester United.
But Whelan believes Martinez should wait for a better opportunity than that offered by the Merseyside outfit.
"It's a battle that I will lose and Wigan will lose (at some point), I've no question on that," Whelan told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It's (a case of) would Roberto choose to go to Everton or would he wait for one of the really big clubs?
"I'm not degrading Everton in any way, shape or form - they're a great club with great supporters - but is Everton regarded as one of the top European clubs? Well, unfortunately they're not."
Wigan face Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday but remain embroiled in a battle against relegation from the Premier League.
Martinez has been at the DW Stadium since 2009, when he was appointed by Whelan following the departure of Steve Bruce to Sunderland.
