Whelan - Bruce going nowhere

26 March 2009 08:14
Wigan owner Dave Whelan expects Steve Bruce to remain in charge of the Latics for the foreseeable future. The former Crystal Palace and Birmingham boss is widely regarded as one of the Premier League's top managerial talents. Having cut his teeth at the likes of Huddersfield and Crystal Palace, Bruce has gone on to enjoy considerable success at Birmingham and Wigan. He has regularly been touted as a possible candidate to step into Sir Alex Ferguson's shoes at Manchester United once the legendary Scot calls time on his glittering career. Whelan believes Bruce would be an ideal candidate for the Old Trafford post, but insists his man is going nowhere for now. "I know he will go in the end but I hope it is not for three or four years. He deserves to manage Man United or one of them and I would wish him the best of luck," Whelan said in The Sun. "I have a great relationship with Steve and I am up front with him, as he is with me. "He is going nowhere at present. He loves it here. "If we finish seventh in the league I don't think there is any doubt he is manager of the year. "He has absolutely worked wonders." As a North East native, Bruce has also been linked with a move to Newcastle on several occasions. He has resisted their overtures for now, but has admitted that he would welcome the opportunity to take charge of the Magpies at some stage in his career. Whelan accepts that Bruce is keen to return to his roots, but does not expect the 48-year-old to be heading to St James' Park any time soon. The Latics supermo is aware that Newcastle could come calling in the not too distant future, with Joe Kinnear's health still a concern, but he has no intention of letting Bruce go. "(Newcastle owner Mike) Ashley's not approached us about it yet - but the answer is no," he said. "Steve knows he could go, and knows he could go to Newcastle. Would he go? No chance. "I don't think you will ever get Steve Bruce going to a club that is run the way Mike Ashley runs it. No chance."

Source: SKY_Sports