Barrow last night completed a return to the club where he enjoyed so many years as a player and a manager.

As well as working alongside Martinez with the first team, he will oversee the development of the club's young professionals and take charge of the reserves.

Martinez 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.

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"He has a terrific football brain and it is wonderful to have another true Wigan man on board."

Barrow spent five years at the club as a player from 1981-86, scoring 44 goals in 212 league and cup games, and developed a reputation as a terrific powerhouse in the centre of midfield.

He was part of the Larry Lloyd promotion-winning team of 1982, and the Freight Rover Trophy-winning side of 1985.

After a spell away, he returned in perhaps one of the club's darkest hours, when Latics were stuck at the foot of Division Three, and helped turn around the team's fortunes.

He was in charge when Dave Whelan took over in February, 1995, and signed Martinez as a player, in the summer of '95

Barrow, 55, said: "This club has always been special to me and it really is a dream come true to return here.

"It's feels like a homecoming and I'm still trying to let it sink in to be honest.

"I played with some very good players in my time here and I like to think I served the club well as a player.

"I came back as manager later on and worked with some of the staff who are still here, and I can see that although a lot has changed at the club, you still get the same warm feeling when you come in.

"I've worked with Roberto in the past and he's a bright lad with lots of ideas who is very unique in what he has to offer to the club.

"The way he had Swansea playing attractive football and getting results at the same time was magnificent.

"And if you went to any FA meeting, they all spoke of his style of football there in the same breath as some of the bigger teams around the continent.

"Having been a manager myself in the past I know things can be difficult but I feel there is a lot I have to offer to Roberto and Graeme Jones in terms of advice.

"Roberto feels it's important that the whole group of players at he club should be made to feel together, so that's
something we'll be aiming to do, and obviously progress them along the way."