Martinez talks confirmed by Wigan as Whelan sympathises with Swansea over boss loss

05 June 2009 11:29
Wigan chief executive Brenda Spencer has had "positive" talks with Roberto Martinez about becoming their new manager.  Spencer is confident the in-demand Swansea boss will move to the JJB Stadium and replace Steve Bruce. She met Martinez yesterday to begin negotiations after being given permission to speak to him once a compensation deal was agreed. 'Talks were really positive and I am confident that everything will go through,' Spencer told the club's official website. 'As with all these talks there is a lot to go through and agree. Roberto and I will continue to keep in touch over the weekend and we hope to announce something early next week.'  Martinez, 35, was hugely popular in his six years as a player with Wigan from 1995-2001 and has impressed since becoming a manager two years ago. The Spaniard guided Swansea to the League One title last year and then within two places of the Championship play-offs in the season just ended. Wigan have moved quickly to try to secure his services after losing Steve Bruce to Sunderland earlier this week.   Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins was reluctant to release Martinez and recently rebuffed interest from Celtic.  Whelan, having seen Sunderland swoop for Bruce, admits he can sympathise with the Welsh club. He told Sky Sports News: 'Football is a cruel game. Sometimes you don't want to lose a manager, I didn't want to lose Steve Bruce.  'I understand exactly where he is coming from but it is football and things move on.'   Once the appointment is confirmed, Martinez will be given funding to strengthen the Latics squad.   Whelan said: 'We are not the biggest club, we have a budget. We will talk and we have the money we require to replace players. 'Roberto will be getting the funds that we can afford to replace the players we need.'

Source: Daily_Mail