Source: Team_Talk
Latics to confirm Martinez as boss
The Premier League club have moved for Swansea boss Martinez after Steve Bruce left to join top-flight rivals Sunderland.
Martinez, who spent six years as a player with Wigan, is one of the most highly-rated young managers in the game and was also the subject of an approach from Celtic.
However, he has now agreed a three-year contract to return to the JJB Stadium and Whelan is excited by the prospect of the Spaniard replacing Bruce.
"Everything is virtually agreed and the only reason it's not been signed up is because I'm in Majorca," Whelan told Sky Sports News.
"I'm due back on Wednesday and the deal will be completed on Wednesday afternoon, and we'll have a press conference on Thursday.
"It's 99 per cent certain that Roberto Martinez will be our new manager. Everything is in place and the contract will be a three-year deal."
Whelan will pay Swansea in excess of £1million in compensation and he is backing Martinez to become one of the leading managers in English football.
He added: "I'm hoping that Roberto stays with us for quite a long time. I was really sad to lose Steve Bruce, who was a great manager for Wigan Athletic, but Roberto was one of my 'three amigos' and he is a wonderful man and knows football inside out.
"He has done remarkably well at Swansea. We at Wigan, and all the supporters, are very, very excited at getting Roberto Martinez."
When asked if he was confident Martinez could be a success in the Premier League, Whelan replied: "Can you ever be absolutely satisfied that anybody can step up to the Premier League? The answer to that is no.
"The Premier League is the best league in the world and the most difficult league in the world to survive in.
"Roberto first came to us when Wigan were in the fourth division and he stayed with us for four or five years and he has gone and done wondrous things in management.
"There is no reason why he cannot come into Wigan and be a top quality manager in the Premier League. If I'm being very honest, I predict Roberto will go on to be one of the top four or six managers within four or five years."
