Adams makes Celtic claim as Martinez admits 'interest'

Tony Adams claims he is in the frame to become Celtic manager – if former Hoops boss Wim Jansen rejoins the club as technical director.

The former Portsmouth manager believes Jansen is close to securing a dramatic return to the club he led to a famous title victory in 1998 in his only season in charge.

According to Adams, Celtic approached the Dutchman, who then put forward his name as the other half of a continental-style management team.

Adams told talkSPORT: “My good friend Wim Jansen is probably in at Celtic. It would be him as technical director and me as manager.”

The former Arsenal skipper added: “I’ve not applied for the role. I know Wim Jansen, who has put me in there.

“I think they approached him, and I know Wim from my Feyenoord days, and he’s actually said that he would only do the role if I were to be made manager. That’s Wim’s opinion, not Celtic’s.”

Meanwhile, Roberto Martinez looks set to ask Swansea for permission to speak to Celtic after apparently expressing interest in the post.

Swansea turned down an initial request from Celtic but chairman Huw Jenkins admitted he would not stand in Martinez’s way if the Spaniard insisted on talks.

The 35-year-old appears destined to do so when he returns from holiday tomorrow.

“Managing Celtic is one of the top jobs in European football,” he said in the Scottish Daily Express.

“Any young, aspiring manager with ambition would be interested in a job like that.

“It gives you the chance of being involved in Champions League football and the opportunity to win silverware every season in Scotland.

“Anyone would be interested in a job like this. However, everything would have to be sorted with Swansea first.

“I have an agreement in place with the Swansea chairman as to what would happen and I’d want that to be honoured.”

But the likelihood of Celtic facing competition from Wigan grew today as Latics boss Steve Bruce broke off from his holiday to discuss personal terms with Sunderland.

Martinez enjoyed adulation from Wigan fans during his playing career and sources at Swansea believe that would be his most likely destination if he were to leave Wales.

Jenkins has also admitted Real Sociedad have made enquiries about the Spanish manager.

However, Martinez has four years left on his contract and City may demand £2m (€2.3m) compensation for a manager who led them to the Coca-Cola League One title in his first full season and eighth place in the Championship this season.