"I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody at Wigan Athletic for their support over the past 18 months or so.

"When I joined in December 2007 we were in a difficult position and we had a massive job to do and I think the club has done fantastically well to be where it is today. I am immensely proud of what has been achieved and credit has to be paid to many people at Latics, first of all the Chairman has been terrific and is a real credit to the club, he is Wigan Athletic through and through and has always been on the other end of the phone whenever I needed him, chairmen like him are few and far between and he was like a breath of fresh air.

"Also Brenda Spencer, the Chief Exec has been great to work with and really has the best interests of the club at heart.

"I think the biggest tribute has to be paid to the players, we would not have had anywhere near as much success without them, we built a good team and a good team spirit and I think that has really shown on the pitch, as I say I am really proud of what has been achieved here. I am happy that I believe I have left the club in a far stronger position than when I arrived and I wish Wigan Athletic all the luck in the world for the future. It is a unique club and one the town can be truly proud of.

"My final thank you has to be saved for the supporters, you have backed the club every minute I have been here and I hope that you have another great season next year and I look forward to seeing you all when I come back to the DW with Sunderland."

Steve Bruce