Wigan Athletic's new 23-year-old chairman David Sharpe has expressed his confidence in returning the Latics to the Premier League.

Dave Whelan announced his departure as chairman last week after 20 years at the helm, handing the role to grandson Sharpe.

Speaking to the club website today, Sharpe said that the "ultimate goal" is to return to the Premier League in the near future, but admitted that it wouldn't be easy.

"It won't be easy and there may be some difficult times ahead before we are back on the right track but my grandfather's legacy over the past 20 years is to show that anything is possible in football," Sharpe said.

"Over that time, the club has created a platform for itself, and now the challenge is to move into the next era with confidence and ambition."

Wigan are close to their second relegation in three seasons as they are eight points from safety in the Championship with just 10 games of the season remaining.