Chester City: Blues legend Graham Barrow handed Wigan job by Roberto Martinez

Jul 9 2009 Chester Chronicle

CHESTER City legend Graham Barrow has been handed a shot at the big time by ex-Blues skipper Roberto Martinez.

Former City player and manager Barrow will coach in the Premier League next season after new Wigan Athletic boss Martinez last night swooped for his services.

The 55-year-old will work with Wigan’s first team while also taking charge of their reserves and overseeing the development of their young professionals.

Barrow brought Martinez to England in 1995 when he was in charge of Wigan and the pair have remained close ever since.

Martinez, who captained Chester in 2006-07 before leaving to take over Swansea City, said: “Graham has not only been a good mentor to me over the last 15 years, but a genuine friend and I have often asked for his advice.

“But I have not appointed him for sentimental reasons. He has a terrific football brain and it is wonderful to have another true Wigan man on board.”

Barrow rejected the chance to become Martinez’s assistant when the Spaniard was made Swansea manager in February 2007, to instead stay on as Mark Wright’s right-hand man at the Deva Stadium.

His last job was as number two to Graham Heathcote at the Blue Square Premier’s Altrincham.

Barrow, who also played for Wigan before joining City in 1986, said: “This club has always been special to me and it really is a dream come true.

“I’ve worked with Roberto in the past and he’s a bright lad with lots of ideas.

“He had Swansea playing attractive football and getting results at the same time and if you went to any FA meeting, they all spoke of their football there in the same breath as some of the bigger teams on the continent.”