We take a look at the favourites to become new Wigan manager as they sack Shaun Maloney following defeat to Reading at the weekend.
The Latics fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Reading on Saturday, which left them sitting 15th in League One having won just one of their last seven league matches.
Maloney was appointed at Wigan in January 2023, with the club sitting bottom of the Championship.
Glenn Whelan has been placed in interim charge of the club’s upcoming fixtures with assistant manager Max Rogers also leaving.
Club Statement | Shaun Maloney#wafc
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) March 2, 2025
WIGAN STATEMENT:
Wigan Athletic part company with Manager Shaun Maloney.
Assistant Manager Max Rogers also departs.
Glenn Whelan will take interim charge supported by Graham Barrow and Frankie Bunn.
Wigan Athletic can confirm that Shaun Maloney has departed his role as Wigan Athletic Manager with immediate effect.
Shaun was appointed Wigan Athletic Manager in January 2023 during what would be an extremely turbulent period in the Club’s history. Whilst he could not prevent the Club’s relegation from the EFL Championship, Shaun ensured that the Club returned to the third tier with fighting spirit.
Furthermore, through a change of ownership in the summer of 2023, Shaun stuck by the Club and helped us overcome an eight-point deduction and a squad overhaul to retain our 2023/24 League One status comfortably with matches to spare.
During his tenure, Shaun and his young team have provided the Club and its supporters with some proud moments, including an Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie with Manchester United, as well as three memorable victories over rivals Bolton Wanderers, just to name a few.
Shaun has also helped develop a number of our young players, some of whom have moved on to further their careers to the mutual benefit of the Football Club.
However, it cannot be overlooked that the current League One campaign has clearly not progressed as anticipated. Home results and performances, in particular, have been disappointing and below the standard at which our supporters expect. For this reason, the Board felt that it was time for a change.
The timing of such change will allow the club the necessary time to appoint a successor and enable the Club to look forward to the future.
Wigan Athletic Assistant Manager, Max Rogers, has also departed.
The process of appointing a new Wigan Athletic Manager begins immediately. In the interim, First Team Coach, Glenn Whelan, will take charge of the first team supported by Club Ambassador and former Manager and Assistant Manager, Graham Barrow, along with Lead PDP Coach, Frankie Bunn.
As a Board of Directors, we would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Shaun and Max for their service, efforts and dedication to the Club.
We hope that in the years to come Shaun’s time as Manager is remembered fondly by supporters, as is his time as a player for the Club. Shaun and Max will always be welcomed back to Wigan Athletic Football Club and the Brick Community Stadium.
The Club will make no further comment at this time.
FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW WIGAN MANAGER:
BetVictor – 4 March
Ryan Lowe – 2/5 (was 5/4)
Ian Evatt – 12/1 (was 6/1)
Paul Warne – 12/1 (was 8/1)
Speaking after defeat to Reading to Latics TV, Maloney said: “The result is probably fair.
“I don’t think we deserved anything from the game. We have been so inconsistent this season but I really didn’t like the first half.
“It was miles away from what we wanted, both without and without the ball. I’m really disappointed today – and we got what we deserved.
“I know we’ve been inconsistent – but today, the performance was miles away from what we need.
“Every game is tough. When you come into a game and expect to win, and you’re not willing to put in what you did against Huddersfield, you’re going to get hurt.
“We started slightly better in the second half. At the point we went 1-0 up, we weren’t dominant and there wasn’t much in the game at that point.
“The first half disappointed me. It was really slow, wasn’t aggressive and we were wasteful for the play – which was the complete opposite. That’s on me. I have to try and change that.
“We took a couple of steps forward and we then got hit again. We have to go again. If we show what we showed four days ago, we can beat anyone.
“We’re still in a position where we have first halves like this and I have to solve it. It can’t keep happening.”
Wow… James McClean holding back no punches on Wigan Athletic 😳
“Right Shaun, you have to get rid of all your experienced players, here is a bunch of kids, you have no budget, and we will sell your best players each window, but we want you to perform miracles.”
brutal.#wafc
— Central Wigan (@CentralWigan) March 2, 2025
This is how Twitter users reacted amid the favourites to become new Wigan manager as they sack Shaun Maloney…
@TillyB88472255: Shaun, thank you much for your incredible service & loyalty to our club 👍✊ Like many fans I’m very disappointed in this news, I really hoped you’d have moved the club
@rimmington01: Feel this is harsh, ye ok we’ve not been great this season but we aren’t going to go down, both players and maloney were learning each game, arguably our best performance on Tuesday under maloney, and someone who actually had the club’s best interest at heart. Hate to see him go
@aspulliter: The suits have acted, results count more than ever, hope they have a plan B in place & this is not just a knee jerk reaction. They know what constraints he has been working under, doubt anyone else could have done any better. All the very best to Shaun in the future & thankyou
@mrgarethrdavies: Madness. So sad. All the best Shaun, you didn’t deserve that and we will do well to get a manager in with the best interests of the club at heart 😔 crazy timing after two decent home performances against playoff chasing teams!
@pkrasny22: wish it wouldve worked out but it just didnt
@Waggy1986: Absolute joke of a club. You’ve majorly let maloney down. Then pot him. Embarrassing.
@LarkinAbout71: Feel he carried the weight of the club on his back and always had an obstacle in his way during his time and I am thankful for that but this is the correct decision, get a new guy in see first hand what he has and learn where to recruit better in summer
@PaulJMonaghan: This feels harsh and poorly timed – unless you have some absolute genius lined up. Reportedly, his target this year was ‘top half’ which is still possible. Even after he saw best defender and attacker sold.
@IanHAspinall: Very sorry to see Shaun leave the club. I don’t think the timing is good. Very risky at this stage in the season unless they have someone else lined up.
@wafcian: Torn over the decision, wanted him to take us forward and can’t forget what he’s done with little or no experience throughout the squad, but constant tinkering and throwing games away was costing us, thank you Shaun, always a tics legend! #wafc
@becckk_: As a person, I’m gutted for him. As a manager, it hasn’t been good enough but he has been doing above and beyond his job role. The worry now is that we’ve done everything on the cheap since Danson took over, who are we getting in? #wafc
@JoeBird1932: Didn’t think Maloney was good enough of a manager but with this owner it’s going to be a backwards move….who the fuck would want to take this job on with this prick running the club #wafc
@willbaber11: Maloney was under huge constraints, so this sacking seems harsh. He would have 100% kept Wigan up, and I think it’s an unnecessary risk to pull the trigger. Having said that, there’s a decent market for out of work managers at the moment, so good options going forwards. #wafc
@CoreyBissell_16: You gave him a squad of relegation fodder for 6 months, we’ve had countless injuries to key players, the season is practically over for us. And you’ve made that decision. Absolute basket case of a club at the minute #wafc
@johndanbatch: Done him dirty there by expecting him to get results with one arm tied behind his back #wafc
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