Former Wigan Athletic boss John Deehan is delighted with the appointment of Roberto Martinez as new manager.

Ex-Swansea boss Martinez, 35, is returning to the club he joined as a player 14 years ago - after being recommended by a sports goods salesman in his native Spain.

He was the most famous of the Three Amigos who joined Wigan as a result of a business trip to Spain by Dave Whelan, who had bought the club a few months earlier.

Deehan recalled to The Sun: "Dave was looking into the possibility of opening a JJB Sports store in Valencia. And the guy he wanted to run it said he knew of a few young players Dave might be interested in.

"Dave checked them and that was how Roberto, Isidro Diaz and Jesus Diaz came over to play for Wigan in the old Fourth Division.

"Jesus didn't settle. But Roberto and Isidro were stars.

"I was not surprised Roberto got the job as I know how highly Dave Whelan rates him.

"He loved him as a player. After every game the first half hour of any conversation we had would revolve around Roberto. Dave thought he was a football genius."