Morsy will be a top manager - Wigan Athletic chief

And having been in the technical area for the majority of those games, assistant manager Leam Richardson – who also worked with Morsy at Chesterfield – says it’s a landmark that deserves celebrating.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with Sammy for so much of his career,” enthused Richardson.

“Wherever he’s played, the supporters, the staff and his team-mates have always appreciated what he brings.

“And it’s not just on a matchday, it’s in the week on the training ground and in the dressing room.

“He wants to win everything he does – whether that’s head-tennis, two-touch, whatever.

“It’s about setting your own standards and your own mentality and affecting the group – which he certainly does.

“He’s a real studier of the game, a real student, who likes to look at every aspect of football.

“It’s almost an obsession to get better, watching the opposition meticulously, trying to find those fine margins that can make a difference.

“You sit down with Sammy and he can speak to you all day about certain philosophies and how you can get even better.”

The 27-year-old has been an integral part of the Latics side that has hit the ground running on their return to the Championship.

And having shown his leadership qualities with the armband on, Richardson reckons there could well be a career in management on the way when he hangs up his boots.

“I wouldn’t put it past Sammy to go into management,” added Richardson.

“From meeting him initially as a young lad at Port Vale, then at Chesterfield, and here at Wigan, he’s always looked after himself, done the right things.

“He’s a fit lad, very conscious of his nutrition, his training regime...away from football he has his own fitness guys who help him.

“When you go into management, you look at certain lads in the squad, and work out who you can trust, for certain things.

“He’s certainly one of those you’d look at and say: ‘Yep, I trust him’.

“He’s very consistent in the way he goes about his business on a daily basis – attitude, tackling, desire, everything.

“He’s just a constant...pain! But in the nicest possible way.

“He plays right on the edge, close to the line...but again I have to stress, in a good way.

“His team-mates respect that, and it’s his way of leading by example.”