City coach Hunter wanted by Wigan’
DAVID CUFFLEY City coach Martin Hunter has been named as a potential target for Premiership survivors Wigan Athletic. Sunday newspaper reports claim Wigan's new boss, Chris Hutchings, wants his former number two at Bradford City to be his assistant.
DAVID CUFFLEY
City coach Martin Hunter has been named as a potential target for Premiership survivors Wigan Athletic.
Sunday newspaper reports claim Wigan's new boss, Chris Hutchings, wants his former number two at Bradford City to be his assistant.
Hutchings was appointed manager at the JJB Stadium after Paul Jewell stood down following the Latics' dramatic escape on the last day of the 2006-07 Premiership season, when they won 2-1 at Sheffield United to preserve their top-flight status.
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Hutchings was Bradford manager back in 2000, when Hunter worked as his right-hand man, and the Wigan boss is reported to be keen to renew their partnership.
That will come as news to the Canaries, however. Manager Peter Grant has repeatedly stressed that Hunter is a key part of his team at Colney.
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Chief executive Neil Doncaster would not comment on the reports today, saying only: “I don't wish to make any comment on speculation.”
Hutchings said at the end of last week he had been looking for a second in command and hoped to announce changes to his backroom staff in the next few days, but did not name names.
Said Hutchings: “Hopefully I well get an answer by the beginning of next week and then things will be sorted out from there.”
Hunter was England Under-19 coach before he was recruited as City's first team coach by former boss Nigel Worthington exactly a year ago, and he started work at Colney on June 26.
He took over caretaker-boss for one game, a 3-3 draw at Queen's Park Rangers, after Worthington was sacked in October, before continuing his coaching role under new boss Grant.
Grant has always maintained that Hunter has a major role to play in his management team.
When Jim Duffy replaced Doug Livermore as City's assistant manager in February, Grant insisted Hunter had a “massive part” to play in the club's plans.
Grant said at the time: “I'm very fortunate to have a guy with that knowledge. I see him as a massive part of trying to push this club forward.”
The highly-qualified Hunter, who holds the UEFA pro licence, has been leading UEFA B coaching courses during the close season.
