Why Roberto Martinez’s Wigan Athletic Legacy Still Defines The Club In 2026

The summer of 2026 marks a fascinating junction for football romanticists as Wigan Athletic embarks on its latest EFL League One campaign under Shaun Maloney, a direct disciple of the legendary Roberto Martinez. Thirteen years after Martinez guided the Latics to their historic FA Cup triumph, his tactical philosophy and developmental blueprint continue to heavily influence the club's modern identity. As Martinez prepares his powerhouse Portugal squad for upcoming international fixtures, the bond between the Spanish tactician and the Greater Manchester club remains as unbreakable as ever.

Tactical Revolution and the Miracle of Wembley

When Roberto Martinez arrived at the DW Stadium in 2009, he brought a brand of expansive, possession-based football that was practically unheard of for clubs battling relegation in the English Premier League. Despite operating on one of the division’s smallest budgets, Martinez refused to compromise on his principles. He famously deployed a fluid 3-4-3 system that outmaneuvered some of Europe’s finest tacticians during Wigan's famous "great escapes" from relegation.

The absolute pinnacle of this philosophy arrived on May 11, 2013. Wigan Athletic faced heavy favorites Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in the FA Cup Final. A stoppage-time header from Ben Watson—assisted by current Wigan manager Shaun Maloney—secured a legendary 1-0 victory. Though the club suffered relegation to the Championship just days later, the triumph cemented Martinez’s legacy as one of the most innovative minds in modern British football history.

How to Watch Wigan Athletic and Track Martinez in 2026

For fans looking to follow Wigan's progress in EFL League One or keep up with Martinez's international campaign with Portugal during the 2026/27 season, several broadcast and streaming options are readily available:

• EFL League One Broadcasts: Domestic viewers in the UK can catch Wigan Athletic matches live via Sky Sports+ and the Sky Sports app.
• International Streaming: US-based supporters can stream select League One fixtures on Paramount+ or access club-specific coverage directly via Latics TV.
• Portugal National Team: Track Roberto Martinez's UEFA Nations League matches on Fox Sports and fuboTV in North America, or Viaplay in the UK.

Keeping tabs on both the club's resurgence and its former manager's elite-level international career has never been easier for the Latics faithful.

The Maloney Connection and Wigan's Future Outlook

As of August 2026, Wigan Athletic is heavily focused on returning to the EFL Championship. Under the stewardship of Shaun Maloney, the club has embraced a youth-first development model that mirrors the very structures Martinez put in place over a decade ago. Maloney has frequently credited Martinez for shaping his coaching ideology, prioritizing positional play, courage on the ball, and tactical flexibility.

Meanwhile, Martinez's status as an elite international manager keeps his historic exploits at Wigan in the global spotlight. His ability to build cohesive, attack-minded teams at the highest level—first with Belgium and now with Portugal—finds its roots in the tactical experiments conducted on the pitches of Christopher Park. For Wigan fans, every progressive pass under Maloney is a tribute to the foundation laid by Martinez.