Wigan explain Martinez deal delay

Martinez was Wigan's number one choice to succeed Bruce

Wigan have apologised to fans for the delay in naming Swansea's Roberto Martinez as their new manager.

A news conference was called on Thursday to announce his appointment but it never happened.

A club statement said: "Due to Swansea wanting more compensation for his backroom team it was felt delaying the announcement was the only option.

"Wigan would like to apologise to the media at yesterday's event and to the supporters for the delay."

The Latics have been looking for a new manager since Steve Bruce moved to Sunderland.

They said talks with Martinez, who spent six years at Wigan as a player, had been "extremely positive", and having agreed personal terms, they now hope to resolve the matter "by early next week".

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The statement continued: "We have already agreed a compensation package to Swansea City for Roberto and talks are ongoing between the clubs about the backroom staff.

"Once these issues have been resolved we will be able to unveil Roberto as new manager and get on with the job of preparing for next season. Thank you all for your patience."

Martinez wants assistant Graeme Jones and chief scout Kevin Reeves to move with him.

But Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins said they had been "left in limbo" over the issue, despite being as keen as Wigan to bring it to an end.

"Roberto and Wigan were fully aware we wanted compensation for them both, not just to buy out their contracts but for the vast amount of knowledge and experience they hold," he told the Swansea website.

"To lose our manager is bad enough but to think we would also lose our assistant manager and chief scout for nothing in the same compensation agreement as Roberto's is unfair and disrespectful to our football club and our fans.

"It's dragged on far too long."