By Peter O'Rourke Last updated: 13th November 2007
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has revealed he is in talks with a mystery candidate to take the vacant manager's job at The JJB Stadium.
Whelan is looking for a new manager after deciding to axe Chris Hutchings last week after a poor run of form.
Former Latics boss Paul Jewell pulled out of the running to return to the club on Wednesday after rejecting an offer from Whelan.
Whelan has now turned his attentions elsewhere and he has revealed that he is closing in on a successor to Hutchings.
"I am in advanced talks with one outstanding candidate. The process is going well," Whelan told Sky Sports News.
"We hope to make an announcement in the very near future.
"We don't want to jeopardise anything at this stage."
Former Everton and Manchester City boss Joe Royle is believed to be the favourite for the job after withdrawing from the race to take charge at Leicester.

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Thursday 16th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | Crewe vs Wigan |
| Sunday 19th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | FC St Veit vs Wigan |
| Wednesday 22nd July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:00 | Eintracht Frankfurt vs Wigan |
| Saturday 25th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Hannover 96 vs Wigan |
| Tuesday 28th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Preston vs Wigan |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Barnsley vs Wigan |
| Sunday 2nd August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Sheff Wed vs Wigan |
| Saturday 8th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Motherwell vs Wigan |
| Monday 10th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:45 | FC Utrecht vs Wigan |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Aston Villa vs Wigan |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Wigan vs Wolverhampton |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Everton vs Wigan |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs West Ham |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Arsenal vs Wigan |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Chelsea |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Hull vs Wigan |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 2 - 0 Wigan | |
| Wednesday 13th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 9th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Brom 3 - 1 Wigan | |
| Saturday 2nd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 0 - 0 Bolton | |
| Sunday 26th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Blackburn 2 - 0 Wigan | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 4 Arsenal | |
| Sunday 5th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Everton 4 - 0 Wigan | |
| Sunday 22nd March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 0 Hull | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 1 - 2 Wigan | |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 0 - 1 West Ham | |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 1 Wigan | |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Wigan | |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 0 - 0 Fulham | |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Aston Villa 0 - 0 Wigan | |
| Wednesday 28th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 1 Liverpool | |
| Saturday 17th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Wigan | |
| Wednesday 14th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Wigan | |
| Sunday 11th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 0 Tottenham | |
| Friday 2nd January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Tottenham 3 - 1 Wigan | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Sunderland | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | West Ham United | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | Wigan Athletic | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0 | 0 |
Skysports.com considers what Wigan need to do in the transfer window now they have appointed a new boss.
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Wigan have tied up the signing of Honduras midfielder Hendry Thomas on a three-year contract.
Roberto Martinez is working hard to sign new players after Antonio Valencia left Wigan for Man Utd.