Source: Eurosport
Whelan tips Bruce for top award
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is backing Latics chief Steve Bruce to be named Manager of the Year - if he can steer the club into Europe. Bruce joined Wigan in 2007 and has done an outstanding job, turning Latics into European contenders from lowly relegation battlers within 18 months.Wigan are currently in seventh place in the league - the final European qualification spot and should they stay there, Whelan believes Bruce should be rewarded appropriately."If we finish seventh in the league, I don't think there is any doubt Steve should be manager of the year," said the chairman."He has worked wonders here, and remember he lost two great players - Emile Heskey and Wilson Palacios - in January."But he's brought in some new lads, fitted them in, and they all seem to be settling well."Whelan remains ambitious and is already planning for next season.He added on Setanta: "Getting into Europe is a realistic ambition of ours, and that is mine and the manager's aim. Blackburn and Bolton have made it in recent seasons, so why not Wigan Athletic?"Steve has taken us to a new level, as I was confident he would, and to be able to look forward to next season with two months left of this one is an incredible achievement from him and the players."[LNB]
