Whelan - Europe is the aim

29 March 2009 15:28
Wigan owner Dave Whelan has set his sights firmly on European qualification via the league this season.[LNB] The Latics are currently in seventh place in the table and will qualify for the first-ever Europa League if they can maintain that position.[LNB]Unlike some clubs for whom Europe seems a distraction, Whelan definitely sees it as the next step on the ladder of success.[LNB]And he is prepared to put his money where his mouth is - if the Latics do qualify, it will earn manager Steve Bruce a massive £500,000 bonus, which comes on top of the £2million windfall he collected last season for guiding Wigan to safety.[LNB]LaughedWhelan told The People: "I remember telling the press when I took over that I wanted Wigan Athletic to be in the Premier League, they laughed and chuckled.[LNB]"Somebody then asked me what I wanted after that and I said 'Europe' - there were more laughs.[LNB]"But Bolton and Blackburn have done it, so why can't we? It's definitely our aim for the rest of the season."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports