Source: Daily_Mail
Martinez keen to fill Bruce's boots at Wigan as Geordie Steve sees the Light
Roberto Martinez is eager to test himself in the Premier League and has made it clear he wants to succeed Steve Bruce as manager of Wigan.
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said this week he had refused Celtic permission to talk to Martinez about taking over at Parkhead in the wake of Gordon Strachan's resignation.
While Martinez was flattered by Celtic's interest, Sportsmail understands he has set his sights on Wigan.
Bruce was due to be unveiled as Sunderland manager on Wednesday but late on Tuesday it emerged there had been a hitch at the Wigan end which is set to delay his switch by 24 hours.
The Spaniard's only worry is the calibre of candidates on a list that includes former Wigan boss Paul Jewell and Darren Ferguson, who is shaping up to follow in father Sir Alex's footsteps after achieving two successive promotions with Peterborough.
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has been impressed with Martinez's impact at Swansea, though, and could hand him the job when he returns from holiday.
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has agreed personal terms on a four-year contract with Bruce and £2million compensation with Wigan.
Steve Bruce: unveiling at Sunderland delayed
Quinn and Bruce met this week to finalise a deal, which will also see Bruce's long-term assistant Eric Black join him in the North East.
Bruce's appointment will be the first act in Ellis Short's reign as Sunderland's owner,and although the American businessman will not be present at Bruce's inauguration,the club are keen to move into a new era in a blaze of publicity at the Stadium of Light.
