Dave Whelan has described Roberto Martínez as the best manager he has worked alongside in football and believes it inevitable that the Spaniard will move to one of Europe's leading clubs.
Wigan Athletic secured their Premier League status for a sixth time with victory at Stoke City on Sunday, when Martínez claimed his first back-to-back league wins in two seasons as manager.
The 37-year-old's conviction that Wigan's attractive style would ultimately secure safety, despite a season spent mostly in the bottom three, was vindicated in their remarkable escape and the fewest defeats suffered in a season – 14 – since the club entered the top flight in 2005. The achievement has prompted the Wigan chairman to herald the former Swansea City manager as one of the finest talents in the game.
"I have to say in all my playing days and all my days as a chairman, Roberto is the best manager I have ever worked with," said Whelan, who played for Blackburn Rovers and bought Wigan 16 years ago.
"He's totally honest, totally up front. He's the same with the players. He makes them work hard and is strict with them on certain things, especially drinking, which I agree with him. I never had my first drink until I was 27. Like him, I believe football and alcohol don't mix.
"My biggest problem in the next couple of years will be: Can I keep him? I'll keep him this summer, I have no doubt, but he is destined for bigger things. There is no doubt in my mind that one day he will go to one of the top European clubs. He is something special and he has something different. You just have to see the way he works, he is so calm and cool."
Whelan had assured Martínez his position was safe regardless of the outcome on Sunday and despite the prospect of selling key players such as Charles N'Zogbia this summer, the chairman is confident Wigan can avoid another desperate scrap for survival next year.
He added: "We've got a great young team, the youngest in the Premier League. They're a great set of lads. The spirit is never-ending. Roberto is confident he can finish in the top half next season and I've no doubt he can do it because the youngsters coming through are quality players.
"We can add to them, but Roberto doesn't spend money foolishly. He's a wise manager and I trust him implicitly. Together we are a great team."
