Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has conceded that Latics manager Roberto Martinez will move up the football "ladder" in the near future.

Martinez has overseen a mighty Wigan recovery in the latter stages of the season, which has seen them defeat Manchester United, Arsenal and most recently Newcastle United, to ease their relegation fears.

Whelan has reiterated that when the Spaniard does move on it will be with his "blessing".

"He's doing a magnificent job," Whelan told BBC Radio 5Live. "I've always said Roberto will go to one of the top clubs in Europe and when that time comes he will leave Wigan with my blessing.

"He's just a brilliant manager and he will get one of the top jobs in Europe.

"I don't want to lose Roberto but it is inevitable he will climb the ladder."

Yesterday's trouncing of high-flying Newcastle moved the Latics up to 16th, four points clear of the Premier League drop zone.