Dave Whelan, the Wigan Athletic chairman, has guaranteed Roberto Martinez that his position as manager will safe for the entire three-year duration of his contract.

Martinez was finally unveiled as the new Wigan manager following his protracted move from Swansea City. The Spaniard spent six years as a player at the club from 1995 and he becomes the Premier League's youngest boss at 35.

"I will never sack Roberto from Wigan," Whelan said. "He is here for three years. If we go down in that time Roberto will go down with us.

"I believe in this lad totally. I am going to stay with him. When Steve Bruce left for Sunderland, there was only one man who came to mind and that was Roberto.

"I have worked with him and know how dedicated he is to football. I brought him here in 1995 and he revolutionised Wigan. He excited our supporters as he was so skilful. What he has done since has been fantastic. He has his own ideas and I like his ideas."

Despite Whelan's unqualified backing, Martinez does not plan on being complacent. "The chairman is a special man and that is one of the reasons why I am here," he said. "In that respect I know how supportive he is but if the results are not good, as he is a successful man he might not accept that. What I can offer, however, is 100 per cent commitment."

One of the first tasks facing Martinez is resolving the future of Luis Antonio Valencia, the in-demand winger. The Ecuadorian is a target, by Whelan's own admission, of Manchester United and Real Madrid, and his new manager is realistic about his prospects of keeping hold of the 23-year-old.

"If there is interest I'm sure the chairman will tell me if he has to go or not," Martinez said. "If that happens we have to be creative in order to improve the squad."