Last Updated: Tue, 13 Nov 2012 20:02
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has reiterated his belief that boss Roberto Martinez is destined to manage one of Europe's top clubs.
Whelan is a huge fan of the likable Spaniard who rejected advances from Aston Villa and Liverpool during the last two close seasons to remain loyal to the Latics.
However, the 75-year-old knows the day will come soon when his manager will receive an offer that even he will finds too good to refuse.
Martinez takes his team to Anfield this weekend for the first time since turning his back on the chance to fill the Liverpool hot-seat in the summer.
Whelan talked up the 38-year-old's potential throughout the negotiations between the two parties stating that the former Latics midfielder was one of the best young managers in the business, and his view hasn't changed.
He is even backing Martinez to lead Wigan to a top ten finish this season after several campaigns fighting for survival on one of the smallest budgets in the Premier League.
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.
"We have one aim - to finish in the top half of the league. We've had aims of staying in the Premier League. This season, we want to finish in the top half. That is what we're going to do."
Whelan spoke of his ambitions and admiration for Martinez after collecting an achievement award at the North-West Football dinner last night. The accolade was in recognition of his outstanding efforts at Wigan, having taken them from a club struggling in the fourth tier of English football to the dizzy heights of the Premier League.
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