Steve Bruce, the Wigan Athletic manager, has dismissed Sepp Blatter's comments about footballers being treated like slaves, insiting they "have the best job in the world".

The Fifa president had made his latest outspoken remarks in an interview broadcast on Sky News, in which he appeared to advocate more freedom of movement for players and suggested that Cristiano Ronaldo should buy himself out of his contract if, as appears evident, he wants to move to Real Madrid and likened the situation to slavery,

However, Bruce, believes Blatter was wrong to speak out. "I don't agree with Sepp Blatter's comments on them being slaves because I believe they have the best job in the world," Bruce said. "If they are slaves what the hell are the rest of us? They have got a good job."

Harry Redknapp, the Portsmouth manager, echoed those views, insisting that modern players were in an enviable position. "The difference in the way the modern player is treated is amazing," he said. "The way they travel, the money they earn, they don't realise it's a different world. They have fantastic opportunities and a great life.

"What Sepp doesn't realise is that it works both ways. If you sign a player on a four-year contract and he's no good for your club, you can't shift him because he doesn't do well.

"So when you get one that does well, you want to keep hold of him. He's way off beam with those comments."