Whelan Expects an Answer by Tonight

Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan expects to be told by his Sunderland counterpart Niall Quinn if they are prepared to pay the compensation fee required to release boss Steve Bruce from his contract with the Latics.

Speaking to BBC Sport Dave Whelan said: 'Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn told me that he understands he can't mess about and by Sunday evening we'll have a decision.

'I've asked for £3m in compensation, but I don't want to lose Steve.'

Whelan confirms that Bruce is in talks with Sunderland and he asks that they get it sorted one way or the other quickly because he knows that his club need to sort out the playing staff ready for the new season especially with potential new signings Middlesbrough`s Matt Bates and Ecuador striker Cristian Benitez interesting other clubs, Whelan conitued:

"Talks are in progression and I've asked for a compensation fee because I think it's only fair that they buy out his contract.

'I paid Birmingham £3m so I'm asking for the same amount back.

'There are a lot of managers who you can get for free and it depends whether they feel they want to pay £3m.

'But if they want a real quality manager, Steve is up there among the best.

'I said to Steve and Niall, 'please do a deal quickly if you're going to do one because Wigan will have no manager and I can't let that go on for too long'.

'Niall is a straight and honest guy and immediately they come to a decision they will tell me and hopefully they're going to do it on Sunday.'

As for a new Latics boss Whelan says he hasn`t given it any thought yet and he says that he`ll wait for the outcome of the talks between Bruce and Quinn, Whelan finished off with:

'Its not something I do, I just wait to see what the outcome is and then face reality.

'If we've got to get a new manager, we'll advertise and we'll have 20 applications in and there will be some good lads among them.'

Well think about it Dave and lets not get caught with our pants down, there is an old pal of yours doing a fantastic job in South Wales at a club called Swansea City, why not give him a ring just in case.



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