ROBERTO Martinez said adios to the Saunders Honda Stadium last week when he accepted the manager's job at Swansea.
And the popular Spanish midfielder guided his side to a win in his first official game in charge, defeating Rotherham 2-1 and sealing the end of Alan Knill's tenure with the Yorkshire club.
But not everything has gone 33-year-old Martinez's way since leaving. He asked Graham Barrow to join him at the Liberty Stadium to try to plot a route out of League One but Mark Wright's assistant turned down the approach.
'It was very nice and I was flattered to receive the approach,' said Barrow.
'But my heart and affection has always been with Chester City.
'The manager and chairman have always been fair to me and I am an extremely loyal person and I want to repay the faith Mark Wright and Mr Vaughan have shown in me.
'I believe that we have the makings of creating something extremely positive at Chester City. We have an enthusiastic chairman who backs his management team to the hilt and a progressive manager who has some excellent ideas about the game. That's why I have come to my decision.'
On signing a 27-month contract with the Swans, Martinez said: 'When I left last season it was like losing the love of your life and you always want to have them back.'
Barrow has also been awarded a testimonial this summer.
'It isn't like he doesn't deserve it,' said Wright. 'He has spent 10 years or more in total at this club and is devoted to it. I think it will be a great opportunity for the club to show our appreciation for him.'
