Uwe Rosler: Wigan boss eyes return to 'Roberto Martinez way'

Uwe Rosler wants Wigan Athletic to play the 'Roberto Martinez way' once again.

Ex-Brentford boss Rosler was named Owen Coyle's successor on Saturday, just six months after Martinez left the FA Cup holders to join Everton following their relegation to the Championship.

"I will look to play 4-3-3," the 45-year-old said. "The players are familiar with the system from their past with Roberto.

"We have to attack, score goals. We have to unlock that potential."

He added: "Roberto left big footprints for anyone to follow. I always want to follow my own style of football - I like to play on the ground, quick, play forward and commit bodies forward.

"I need energy and a willingness to attack and feel in some ways it's similar to Roberto - and in other ways it's not."

Rosler watched the 14th-placed Latics sink nine points below the play-off places, with Saturday's 2-1 loss to Millwall their fifth successive defeat in all competitions.

The German's first task will be to try and lead Wigan into the knockout stage of the Europa League, with victory needed at Maribor on Thursday to stand any chance of getting through.

Rosler described the post at the DW Stadium as a "dream", and the job of leading them back into play-off contention as one he is capable of dealing with.

"I've been at Brentford for two-and-a-half years, so I know about expectations and how to work under pressure," he said. "I've been a manager for 10 years now."

Rosler does, however, admit leaving Brentford was difficult, with the Bees sitting fourth in League One, having taken them to the play-off final at Wembley last term.

"I went up to Carlisle [where Brentford lost 3-2 in the FA Cup second round] to say my thanks properly - they suffered a little and it was emotional from both ends because that was my team," Rosler said.

"Brentford were very helpful - they understood the situation when such a big club came and offered me the opportunity.

"This is a perfect opportunity for me, the perfect club, one that wants to be successful. I have ambitions to end up, as I did as a player, at the top of English football.

"I see Wigan Athletic as a dream club for me and I will work very hard to fulfil the club's ambition - anything is possible."

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan revealed that Coyle's exit less than six months after taking the helm of the club cost "in the region of £500k".

Having met Rosler just once after Coyle's departure, Whelan moved quickly to agree a compensation fee with Brentford to bring the former Manchester City striker in.

"He impressed me so much with his determination, his grasp of the game," Whelan said.

"Roberto played a certain way and was successful. We had enormous success by playing football on the ground - winning the FA Cup was an unbelievable thing for the club to do.

"We only have one ambition and that is to play in the Premier League. It might not happen this year or next year, but it will happen."