Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is confident boss Roberto Martinez is destined for a top management job in football. He said: "Roberto will be the manager of one of the top three clubs in Europe, I don't think there's any doubt about that."
Whelan was speaking at the North West Football Awards where he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his achievements with Wigan, who he took control of when they were struggling in the fourth tier of English football.
The 75-year-old also identified the decision to sign him as a player along with compatriots Jesus Seba and Isidro Diaz after becoming chairman in 1995 as a decisive moment in the Latics history.
"We have a very, very good working relationship, Roberto and myself," he said. I signed him from Spain and he played for Wigan Athletic with the other two boys - the Three Amigos they were called.
"That changed our future because Wigan Athletic then became a team with people playing from Spain who played football from back to front.
"It changed our style and changed the life of Wigan Athletic when I signed those three boys."
