LIVERPOOL -- Dave Whelan has been an "inspiring" Wigan Athletic chairman who will leave a great legacy, according to Everton boss Roberto Martinez.
Whelan ended a 20-year run as Wigan chairman by resigning on Tuesday, passing on the role to his 23-year-old grandson David Sharpe, but will remain as owner.
The 78-year-old businessman oversaw the club's rise from the fourth tier to the Premier League. He was instrumental in bringing the young Martinez to English football as a player from Spanish club Balaguer in July 1995.
Whelan brought Martinez back to the club as manager in 2009, and was rewarded with a remarkable FA Cup triumph four years later, before the manager left to take charge at Goodison Park.
Everton's boss only learned of Whelan's resignation during a news conference on Tuesday, and admitted he was shocked.
He said: "My relationship with Dave Whelan goes back many, many years, but I wasn't expecting the news that has been broken to me. I wasn't expecting that at all.
"That's the first I've heard. I don't know the reasons behind it. All I can comment on is the incredible contribution that he's made in the game.
"I've been privileged to see first-hand what a successful and driven football man he is, one who has given so much to the town.
"He's created an incredible example for football, because any professional football club can have the dream of playing in the Premier League and winning a major trophy. He showed us the way to do that.
"It's an incredible football story. I'm sure it's going to inspire many generations to come. But it is a bit of a shock to hear that news. I'm sure his legacy will carry on for a long, long time. I'm sure there will be people ready to carry on that legacy."
Whelan has endured a difficult period as Wigan chairman since the club's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed in May 2013, three days after they defeated Manchester City at Wembley to win the FA Cup.
He appointed and sacked both Owen Coyle and Uwe Rosler in the 18 months following that victory, and has seen the club slide towards the bottom of the Championship this season.
Whelan attracted controversy in November by giving the manager's job to Malky Mackay, who is still subject to a Football Association investigation over racist, sexist and homophobic text messages exchanged with Iain Moody, who was his head of recruitment when both men worked at Cardiff City.
Wigan chairman Whelan was himself banned from football-related activity for six weeks and fined 50,000 pounds in December for making racist comments after accepting an FA charge. Whelan apologised but denied the remarks he made during an interview with the Guardian were racist.
An FA Disciplinary Commission subsequently said it was satisfied that Whelan was not a racist and did not intend to cause offence by his comments.
Whelan's grandson Sharpe was made a Wigan director in December, and has long been considered the likeliest successor as chairman, despite his youth.
Martinez said: "I think David's been working in that role for a while now, and he's been learning and preparing for his introduction. He's more than capable, I think. His age doesn't reflect the experience that he's developed since he was a young man.
"I remember David being around the club a lot, and trying to learn every aspect of the job. So I think in that respect, it's good news to have someone so young, fresh and enthusiastic. He'll bring a lot of good things into the club."