Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan is convinced manager Roberto Martinez will eventually coach Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Whelan said: "I can see him going to a top four club or, more likely, a leading club in Europe in about four or five years.

"His language skills are huge, the lad is sharp and bright, he is meticulous and pays attention to every detail.

"I go to see the training a couple of days a week and he is great at what he does. He wants players to think what they are doing and listen to him.

"After games he sits them down and talks to them, asks them about their performances no matter what the result. He is so thorough in everything he does.

"Roberto also lives and breathes football, he just thinks about the game 24 hours a day, he is a real football man."