Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre and Wigan chairman Dave Whelan have started a war of words, with bad links between the clubs after Roberto Martinez decided to stay with the Latics.
The Spanish coach was the frontrunner for the vacant Anfield role, but due to concerns over potentially having to work under a director of football on Merseyside decided to stay at the DW Stadium.
Ayre feels Whelan’s role in this may have played a part, and was not impressed with the Wigan chairman’s constant comment in the media.
“Our aim from the outset was to conduct a proper, thorough, search and do it in the proper manner,” Ayre told the Liverpool Echo.
“From our point of view, we did all the right things. We approached the clubs we needed to approach, and conducted ourselves properly at all times.
“It is disappointing, then, that Dave Whelan felt the need to run the kind of sideshow he conducted via Sky Sports News and various other media outlets.
“To be honest, I always thought John Bishop was the biggest comedian in the north west but Dave Whelan seems to have taken that mantle over the last couple of weeks,” he said.
Whelan has hit back with an attack of his own, leaving a sour taste in the mouth between the sides.
“He’s the fella who said the top-six clubs should share most of the Premier League TV revenue isn’t he? He is obviously very knowledgeable about football,” Whelan commented to The Telegraph.
“Liverpool have got themselves a very good manager and I wish him good luck. I’m delighted Roberto is staying at Wigan. We’ll leave it at that.”
By Gareth McKnight
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