Pundit can't believe Martinez would quit Belgium to take over Newcastle
Roberton Martinez "would be a fool" to leave Belgium to take over as Newcastle United manager, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds United striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, branded the Magpies a club in "turmoil" from the boardroom to the dressing room.
As revealed by Football Insider, the current Belgium boss is the leading candidate to take charge if Steve Bruce leaves this summer.
Bruce is under huge pressure at St James' Park amid the threat of relegation and a dressing room mutiny.
Football Insider revealed on Thursday that the 60-year-old is will receive an increase on his potential £4million if he steers Newcastle to safety and is then sacked.
Martinez has managed Belgium for the last five years after previously steering Everton to a fifth-place Premier League finish.
"He'd be a fool to leave Belgium to go to Newcastle," Whelan told Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge.
"With the current owner, no money to spend - he's a manager, not a magician. If you're going to leave a setup like Belgium, you're going to need reassurances that you're going to have a lot of money to spend.
"He's not going to get that from Mike Ashley, he's just not. Why would you leave something so successful right now? With the players he has at his disposal, why would you go into a club that is in turmoil?
"They're in turmoil with the players, the manager and with the board.
"The fans must be so frustrated by what is going on here because they're teetering on the edge. There's no way he's taking that job if it's in the Championship."
The Magpies currently sit two points out of the relegation zone.
However, they have won just two of their last 18 league games.