Bruce has done remarkably well in lifting the Latics from relegation contenders to seventh place in the Barclays Premier League during his 15-month reign at the club.

However, he knows taking charge of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal is an entirely different prospect.

United have had Sir Alex Ferguson, a Scot, in charge for over 22 years but their main rivals have long-since dispensed with home-grown managers.

Chelsea, Wigan's opponents on Saturday at Stamford Bridge, had no hesitation in looking for another foreign coach when they sacked former Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Dutchman Guus Hiddink has taken the job until the end of the season - when it is likely another overseas coach will be employed - but Bruce remains optimistic a British candidate may one day get a chance.

"It (foreign managers) seems to be the way forward. Would Manchester United now go for the manager of Aberdeen?" he said, in reference to his former boss at Old Trafford.

"I sincerely hope the British managers get a chance because it is difficult for any of us to win anything.

"The last manager to get a crack at a big cub was David Moyes at Everton and look at the fantastic job he has done.

"I'm sure any of us wouldn't mind a crack at managing that lot (at Chelsea).

"When you look at them - Nicolas Anelka, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry - they are a fantastic bunch of players."

Bruce said the latest changes at Stamford Bridge did not come as a shock to him.

"It is incredible what happens in football and it doesn't surprise me any more," he added.

"He (Hiddink) has got one of the great jobs; they are still involved in three trophies.

"I have the highest regard for Guus Hiddink and when I watched them in the Champions League they are a very good team with very good players.

"I saw them pulverise Juventus in the first half of their Champions League tie last night so there is not an awful lot wrong.

"A new manager has brought another intensity, they are going to be rolling up their sleeves and giving it a go - that is normal in the short term.

"That means we are going to have to work damn hard on Saturday."