Everton to talk to Roberto Martinez in 'next 48 hours' but warn there are other candidates

The Wigan manager is the favourite to fill the vacancy

Roberto Martinez celebrates after winning the FA Cup (GETTY IMAGES)

Everton will talk with Roberto Martinez in the “next 48 hours”, although chairman Bill Kenwright has warned the Spaniard he is only one of the candidates the club are looking at.

Martinez is the firm favourite to succeed David Moyes after Wigan gave him permission to speak to other clubs.

Yet there are others in the mix. Cardiff's Malky Mackay and Porto coach Vitor Pereira have also been linked with the position while there are also internal candidates in David Weir, Phil Neville, Duncan Ferguson and Alan Stubbs.

Kenwright told Sky Sports News: "I will meet Roberto in the next 48 hours. He is on the list, as I have always said."

Despite overseeing Wigan's relegation from the Premier League this month, the former Swansea manager also guided the Latics to glory in the FA Cup. The 39-year-old has also been commended for keeping Wigan in the top-flight up until this season while his sides' style of play have also merited commendation.

Both Aston Villa and Liverpool have courted his services in the past but Martinez remained loyal to Wigan. Yet following their relegation, Martinez feels the time is right to move on.

Everton are looking for a new manager for the first time in 11 years following Moyes' decision to move to Manchester United.

Kenwright feels he has the support of the majority of fans as he leads the recruitment process.

He said: "The most gratifying thing is 90 per cent have said, 'You didn't let us down last time, go with your gut instinct and hopefully you'll get it right again'.

"All I can say is there is no way that I or anyone can say, 'We'll get it right, we'll get the right man', but I certainly will put everything into getting it right and getting the right DNA for Everton Football Club."