Wigan Athletic are expecting to name Roberto Martinez as their new manager tomorrow. Martinez was allowed to speak to Wigan about becoming the new manager after a £2 million fee was agreed in compensation.

Martinez has been tipped as one of the most under rated and talented manages in the country but he will have a hard time in replacing Steve Bruce who has only just left for Sunderland. Under Bruce Wigan were stabilised into one of the most consistent and solid Premier League teams in the country so Martinez will have a lot of work to do.

Martinez built up his reputation in Wales as manager of Swansea City. He took the Swans into the Championship from League One and has been consistently sparring with the best sides in the country outside of the Premier League. Although becoming a top-flight manager is a totally different proposition, it is clear that Martinez has the flair you need to be at the top.

Wigan chairman, Dave Whelan, said: “Everything is almost agreed. The only reason it has not yet been signed is because I am in Majorca. I’m due back on Wednesday so the deal will be completed then.”

Wigan were very reluctant to let Bruce leave and this was obvious because of how well he had done at the club. However, the club has to be praised for going for a risky bet in Martinez and not offering the job to a more experienced former Premier League manager.

The point is that Martinez will have a lot of energy and enthusiasm for the job, the club, the players and the surrounding area. These are all virtues that Bruce displayed on a daily basis and they are all things that a new manager needs in order to come in and make an impact.

It could well turn out to be the best or the worst decision that Wigan have ever made but it is hoped it will be the best and all of the early signs are pointing that way. Although managing in the Championship is probably a lot easier than managing in the Premier League and coping with all the pressure, a lot of other Championship bosses have praised Martinez for his tactical thinking and awareness.

The Spaniard has the ability to be able to sum up a match very quickly and make sure that his side are doing all of the small things in order to turn a match around. Credit has to go to Wigan and their chairman for not sitting around but taking the initiative and having a gamble on someone who could turn out to be a great top-flight manager.

Martinez will be given the time and the space to establish himself and will have the entire summer to make all of the changes to the squad that he sees fit. Although he is a relatively small man he will also have to impose himself over the club as this is likely to be more difficult than it would be for another manager with better experience and a bigger reputation.