Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan has not ruled out Steve Bruce returning to the club should Roberto Martinez leave for Liverpool.
The Spaniard is currently in talks with the Reds over the vacant managerial position at Anfield following the departure of Kenny Dalglish.
Bruce is believed to have declared his interest in the Latics job and Whelan has revealed that he still gets along well with the 51-year-old.
The former Manchester United defender left the DW Stadium to take charge of Sunderland in 2009.
"Steve Bruce is someone I've always got on with," The Mirror quotes Whelan as saying. "I never sacked him; he left for Sunderland, but we've remained on good terms.
"I've not spoken to anyone yet and I don't need to because there are one or two excellent managers around at the moment who aren't in work."
Bruce was sacked as manager of the Black Cats in November.
