The Latics chairman believes British managers are superior to their foreign counterparts and points to today's match between Everton and Wigan - managed by Scot David Moyes and Englishman Bruce - as evidence.

Whelan told the Sunday Mirror: "I don't just think British managers are the equals of their foreign counterparts, they are better - and what Steve and David are doing for their clubs proves that.

"Then there's Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Martin O'Neill at Aston Villa.

"We've got the best managers in the world here - English, Welsh, Irish and Scots.

"I'd never entertain a foreign manager for Wigan and I don't think it's right that England have a foreign manager either.

"We're the home of football. I can't believe that we need foreign managers

"I wouldn't go anywhere near one because I don't accept you must go abroad for your boss.

"Steve Bruce is too good for England - I am deadly serious."