Roberto Martinez urged Alan Stubbs to strike out on his own

Roberto Martinez helped pave the way for Alan Stubbs to become the new manager of Hibs.

The Spaniard has made a huge impact at Everton since taking over the reins from David Moyes last summer. He was delighted to have Stubbs as part of his backroom staff.

But the new Easter Road gaffer has revealed that Martinez encouraged him to become a manager in his own right rather than take the stepping stone of an assistant’s role away from Goodison Park.

Stubbs said: “I have had a few interviews for different roles. There was an interview for an assistant manager’s job at a top Championship club in England, and I decided against it because I wanted to be a No. 1.

“I spoke to Roberto about that when I got offered the interview. I said: ‘Listen gaffer, I have an interview for an assistant’s job. I’d like to know what your thoughts are and any advice.’

“He just said: ‘It’s not for you. You are a No. 1, you are your own man, you will be a top manager one day’. That reinforced my beliefs and I hope to prove that with Hibs.”

Stubbs might be embarking on his first managerial position at Hibs but he’s been his own boss at Everton for years.

The former Celtic defender has been handed the responsibility of leading the Easter Road club back to the top flight. He insists his time at Everton as youth coach will help him cut it in the capital.

“With the Everton Under-21s, I had as close to a management structure as what you will have in top-level football,” he said.

“I had my own physio, my own strengthening and conditioning coach, my own kitman and my own assistant. So I had more than a lot of clubs in Scotland would have.

“That’s not me being disrespectful to them, but Roberto wanted me to have my own group within the group. So I’ve had to deal with most of the day-to-day issues you will encounter as a manager.

“This is my first opportunity in management. But it’s not my first opportunity in an environment which is competitive.

“I was around the first team at Everton for a number of years, so I know what happens and exactly how the management side of it works.”

There were accusations Terry Butcher lost the dressing-room after making it clear he was planning wholesale changes in the summer.

Stubbs, however, is determined to create an environment where his players love coming to their work.

He was highly-regarded by Everton under David Moyes before forging an excellent working relationship with Roberto Martinez.

And he said: “The one thing the players will get from me is a guy who will trust them 100% but they have to trust me as well.

“There is no point in them giving me the trust and me not giving them it back. It will be a two-way relationship.

“My man-management style will be really appealing to them. They will be really happy with what I put in place.

“The players have to come to the training ground with a smile on their faces even before they come through the gates. They’ve got to enjoy coming to their work.”