HULL CITY have denied national reports suggesting Wigan Athletic have made an approach for manager Steve Bruce.
Reports today said Wigan owner Dave Whelan had made an approach to the Tigers for his former manager over a possible return to the club.
However, Tigers vice-chairman Ehab Allam has told the Mail no such approach has been made, from Wigan or any other club, for Bruce's services.
Allam said City had also spoken to Bruce this morning, who is returning for a family holiday, and he confirmed he had not been approached directly.
Bruce had emerged as an unlikely candidate to take over the manager's job at relegated Wigan after Roberto Martinez's departure for Everton.
Wigan owner Dave Whelan is an admirer of Bruce, who managed the club before leaving to take over at Sunderland four years ago, and the two are said to have a good relationship.
Bruce led Wigan to their best finish of 11th in the Premier League five years ago.
But if Wigan did make their an approach it is doubtful whether he would relish a return to the Championship to try to take relegated Wigan back to the Premier League.
Bruce has already spoken of his frustration about being forced to leave the Premier League under a cloud with Sunderland prior to taking on the job with the Tigers.
It would also be a significant step down for Bruce after taking City back to the Premier League on the final day of the season.
Bruce has also developed a close relationship with City owner Assem Allam, who has shown him significant backing since he took over from Nigel Pearson last summer.
He has repeatedly spoken about his desire to make the Tigers a success to reward Allam for the huge financial commitment he made to saving the Tigers from the brink of administration in December 2010.
Today the bookies installed Bruce as a 10/1 shot to take over at the Latics behind favourites including former England manager Steve McLaren, MK Dons boss Karl Robinson, Wigan assistant manager Graeme Jones and Sir Alex Ferguson's former number two at Manchester United, Mike Phelan.
Whelan is also reported to be looking at Brighton's suspended boss Gus Poyet, former Bolton manager Owen Coyle and Manchester United's coach Rene Meulensteen.
