No Wigan interest for Bruce as Hull increase Schmeichel bid

HULL CITY manager Steve Bruce last night firmly distanced himself from speculation linking him with the vacant Wigan Athletic job.
Hull City's manager Steve BruceHull City's manager Steve Bruce
Hull City's manager Steve Bruce

National reports circulated yesterday that Latics owner Dave Whelan had made an approach to the Tigers for their former boss to discuss a shock return to his old club.

But sources close to Bruce have confirmed that no approach has been made with the 52-year-old happy at Hull and fully focused on next season’s return to the Premier League for the newly-promoted Tigers.

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Bruce, who returned from holiday yesterday, is said to be unaware of any interest from Wigan, seeking a new manager following the departure of Roberto Martinez, confirmed as Everton boss yesterday afternoon.

Club officials have also flatly denied talk of contact from Wigan requesting permission to speak with Bruce, who has previously managed the Lancastrian outfit twice.

The north-easterner was in charge for a short two-month spell in the spring of 2001 before a longer stint from November 2007 to May 2009 when he left the club to join Sunderland.

After achieving promotion in a thrilling first season at the KC Stadium, Bruce, who led Wigan to their best-ever finish of 11th in the Premier League in 2008-09, is fully focusing on what he considers as unfinished business in the top-flight after being sacked by Sunderland in November 2011.

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Whelan, who has pledged to move swiftly to replace Martinez, has revealed that over 40 applicants have already declared an interest in the Wigan post. Owen Coyle and Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen are among the favourites.

Meanwhile, Bruce is concentrating all his energies on bringing in new recruitments ahead of the first game in the top-flight in August, with Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel and Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa among his top early-summer targets.

The Tigers have already seen an opening offer of £1.25m turned down for the ex-Leeds United custodian, out of contract next summer with an improved bid of £1.75m also rebuffed.

Leicester value Schmeichel at £4m, but Hull are reluctant to pay anywhere near that amount for a player who they could potentially pick up for nothing in a year’s time.

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Schmeichel remains happy at Leicester, but also has a strong desire to prove himself in the top-flight.

The Tigers have also expressed interest in Burnley midfielder Chris McCann, who will leave Turf Moor at the end of this month when his contract expires.

McCann is currently on holiday and will assess his options when he returns.

The Dubliner has also attracted interest from Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Crystal Palace with Leeds also thought to be admirers of him. Two clubs already have firm offers on the table for the 25-year-old, but neither are Yorkshire-based.

Michael Appleton, Wally Downes and Rob Page are pitched in a three-way fight for the Sheffield United managerial post, with the selection process now in its final stages.