Everton manager Roberto Martinez has claimed that his FA Cup-winning run with Wigan Athletic two years ago hindered their fight to stay in the Premier League.
The 41-year-old won successive relegation battles as manager with the Latics in 2010, 2011 and 2012 before they went down in 2013, days after winning the cup.
Describing his time with Wigan in the Sunday Telegraph, Martinez said: "I've been down with 36 points and it's very tough to get 36 points in this league.
"It was very painful because it was on the back of winning the FA Cup. The FA Cup final got in the middle of achieving that and we paid the price."
Martinez acknowledged that his current side are embroiled in a relegation fight this season, with just 28 points from 28 games.
