Echo: Rodgers and Martinez link

Liverpool FC are set to hold talks with Wigan's Roberto Martinez and Swansea's Brendan Rodgers over the vacant manager's job at Anfield.

The Reds have been granted permission to speak to Martinez and the ECHO understands Fenway Sports Group (FSG) have also made an approach for Rodgers as they step up their search for Kenny Dalglish's successor.

The owners hope to meet both Martinez and Rodgers over the coming days and they are also likely to interview other candidates on their shortlist.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan says he wasn't surprised by Liverpool's move for Martinez, whose stock has risen during his three years at the DW Stadium.

"When Liverpool sacked Kenny I have to say I thought Liverpool would be knocking on the door, and sure enough they are," Whelan said.

"I did promise Roberto when a big club comes he will have permission to talk to them and they don't come any bigger than Liverpool. I gave permission and he will be talking to them soon.

"For Wigan Athletic I would love to keep him, for Roberto he has the opportunity to go and manage a massive club in Liverpool. The choice I think will be entirely Roberto's. I think he's going there with an open mind.

"I can imagine he will want to manage such a big club but I would willingly keep him if I could."

Martinez, 38, began his managerial career with Swansea in 2007 and guided them into the Championship before taking over at Wigan in 2009.

The Spaniard, who rejected the chance to take over at Aston Villa last summer, earned rave reviews for keeping the Latics in the top flight on a shoestring budget and this season they secured their safety by winning seven of their last nine matches, including a victory at Anfield in March.

Rodgers is another young manager who has won admirers for what he has achieved with limited resources.

The Northern Irishman had spells at Watford and Reading before being appointed as Swansea boss in 2010.

The 39-year-old led the Swans to promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs last May and he then masterminded an impressive 11th-placed finish during their first season in the top flight.

Swansea have yet to respond to Liverpool's request to speak to their manager.

Liverpool FC officials declined to comment on the approaches which have been made but managing director Ian Ayre insists principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner will appoint someone of the highest calibre.

The owners alone took the decision to sack Dalglish but Ayre revealed FSG have employed advisers to help them find the right replacement.

"I'm not going to say who they are but they are sufficiently experienced enough to be in a position to advise," Ayre said. "They will be involved for this phase but they weren't for the decision on Kenny.

"As you'd expect with Tom and John, they don't make these sort of decisions without taking the best possible advice. It's important we make the right decision but also that it's an informed one. That group will come together on a regular basis.

"We've started with a blank canvas. It's absolutely critical that we get it right and we move forward.

"It's going to be about a whole range of things - from experience and ability to methodology, style of play and character traits.

"We may have lost our way a little in terms of performances but it is still one of the biggest football clubs in the world. Liverpool still gets everyone excited and interested.

"It still has a huge fan base. I think that is the lure. It has also got a good solid business foundation. It has got good owners who are committed. A lot of that doesn't exist in a lot of other football clubs.

"I still think this is one of the biggest jobs in world football. I know we can go and find a top class manager to come to this football club."

Ayre insists the Reds won't rush into a decision but he revealed the new manager will be handed a significant transfer kitty.

"You don't want to create time pressure because you want to make the right choice," he added.

"But at the same time we are all aware that you want to be active in the transfer market and have that manager back looking at his players. You would certainly want to have someone in place for when the players are coming back for pre-season which is July.

"You wouldn't expect to unveil a plan to take the club forward to bring in a new manager and not invest in the squad. There has never been a point in this period when we've seen any lack of financial support.

"Yes, they are distant owners but they have massive experience, knowledge and ability.

"I'm here at the coal face, from the city and I understand it as I'm a fan. That's a good marriage of skills and ability to try to work together to deliver what's needed.

"I'm not short in telling them when I need to if I think something is right or wrong for Liverpool Football Club. At the same time they are never short of telling me how they think things should be done. That's a good structure to have and a good body of people to be working on behalf of the club."