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Wigan set for quick appointment after sacking Kolo Toure nine games into role as manager

Wigan Athletic are getting set for a quick appointment after sacking Kolo Toure just nine games into role as their manager.

Toure, an ex-Arsenal and Manchester City defender, had only appointed as Leam Richardson’s successor in November.

But since then, the Latics have picked up just two points from his seven Championship matches and currently sit bottom of the table, four points from safety.

They now have a two-week break before returning to action with a trip to Blackburn on Monday the 6th of February.

SACKING STATEMENT:

Wigan Athletic can confirm that they have parted company with First Team Manager, Kolo Touré.

Touré arrived at the DW Stadium in November 2022, but after a run of results that sees the Club in a fight for survival in the Sky Bet Championship, the Board believe that this is the right time to make a change.

We can confirm that Kevin Betsy and Ashvir Johal have also left the Club.

First team matters will be taken on by the remaining coaching staff during this interim period, with the Club working quickly to identify and appoint a new manager of the Football Club.

Malachy Brannigan, Chief Executive of Wigan Athletic, said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank Kolo, along with Kevin and Ash, for their efforts during their time at the Football Club.

“Unfortunately, the results on the field have not been as we would have liked and as tough a decision as this was, the Board felt it necessary to give us the best possible chance of remaining a Championship club next season.

“We know that this time of year is a key period for any football club, ourselves included. Therefore, we will now work swiftly and effectively to ensure the right person is appointed as the next permanent manager of Wigan Athletic, with the immediate objective of remaining in the Second Tier for next season.”

It’s understood that former Scotland international Shaun Maloney is the overwhelming favourite to takeover from Kolo Toure, who was relieved of his duties at 7.30pm on Thursday.

According to reports, Maloney impressed during the interview process and will now be in charge of the rebuild.

On Tuesday, the former Scotland international turned 40. He spent four of his best years with Latics, between 2011 and 2015.

He also received an FA Cup medal as a winner, sending in a corner to meet the head of Ben Watson, who in 2013 scored the only goal against Manchester City.

Before retiring in 2017, he also played for Celtic and Aston Villa as well as Chicago Fire and Hull City.

Maloney began his coaching career at Celtic and was promoted to the Belgium backroom team in 2018. He worked under Roberto Martinez before taking over assistant duties for Graeme Jones who was returning to West Brom club football.

He managed Hibernian briefly with Gary Caldwell during the 2021/22 campaign, but is keen to return to his former club.

This is what fans are saying as Wigan get set for a quick appointment after sacking Kolo Toure just nine games into the role as manager…

@SimonLe14324207: I think Maloney has the right philosophy but again this squad won’t suit his style a bit like the Caldwell appointment after Malky but again he had time to bring his own players in and had a pre season with them a few month after his appointment, Maloney has a week !! #wafc

@tonywelsby: This is not a time for Maloney. Anyone who thinks it is – including the board, are deluded, if as Brannigan suggests, they are to act swiftly to get a manager to try and keep us up. That needs to be someone like Wilder or similar. #wafc

@steveWAFC: Let’s get our heads around this we sack Leam for a novice then we sack the novice for another novice if it is Maloney(great player BTW) I’m baffled with these owners we have,on a plus point there not as bad as Everton’s but they are running them really close #clueless #wafc

@JonnyKitwe: I’ll back Maloney when he’s appointed. Knows the club. Loved him as a player and loved that he worked as a coach under Martinez. Limited experience and wouldn’t be my first choice, but fuck it. #wafc

@Mattylatics1390: Didn’t maloney spit his dummy out and want to leave the club when we got relegated from the prem or am I thinking of someone else? #wafc

@Charles_1933_: Plenty of experienced championship managers on the market and available. The time for the type of rebuild Maloney will want to implement is the summer. Does he have any real knowledge of the championship? Crazy once again #wafc

@johnyheyes: Surely @TalalAlHammad32 isn’t going to give Maloney the job 😭 there’s no way he’s that thick 😳 can’t be that stupid. #wafc

@samf012321: i really don’t want maloney. #wafc

@DanWAFC03: Long term I don’t actually mind Shaun Maloney. Club hero, modern ideology and decent football (in theory). But it is 100%, undeniably an admission of defeat. It’s planning for League One 6 months before we’re even there. #wafc

@wind_clock: If we’re going to try on inexperience again, I’d try and get Graeme Jones over Maloney, at least he’s got a lot more coaching experience and has generally done well as a coach and assistant where he’s been, and has similar connections to the club #wafc

@vickielharmer: Toure – 8 games, 0 wins. Maloney the favourite – 13 games, 1 win. You can just see fuck up round 2 happening can’t ya #wafc

@JamesSaintLatic: So looks like it’s Maloney. Not going to moan as I’ve spent the last few weeks doing that 😆. Least he’ll be able to get a player or two in that he wants in the next few days. Let’s see what occurs 🙏🏻. #wafc

@CameronMcCall11: Feel a bit sorry for kolo was definitely in over his head, but honestly the board are to blame for hiring an inexperienced manager. As much as I liked Maloney he isn’t the person we need atm, next season fair enough but not now #wafc

@MannixKnows: If this wasn’t so hilarious I’d feel bad

@HarrisonTither: End of the day at least Maloney knows the club. Obvious it had gone toxic under Toure. Players didn’t look like they were playing for him. What an error getting rid of Leam it was. #wafc

@sugarfreetic: What a disaster. For him, for the club and for the fans. Hindsight clearly the wrong appointment at this stage in his career, and at this point in the clubs rebuild. Hopefully an appointment with experience at this level is made soon.

@Latics_WN6: Thinking about Maloney, I would be warmer to the idea of him in the summer, with a fire fighter manager in on a 6 month deal to try and keep us up. I don’t think it is his time now, BUT, I would be fully behind him should it happen and hope it would work out. #wafc

@lancstic: Completely the right decision, though questions need asking why he was appointed in the first place.

@wafc_niall: If it is Maloney, the board need to be transparent about their intentions. If it is to try and stay in the league then fair enough, put him on a short term contract. If however, it is to rebuild the squad and football club then give him a 3 year deal to implement his ideas and philosophy but give him the time and resources to do so even if that probably means dropping back down to league one. In 9 games time, we can’t be sacking another manager on a lengthy contract when we’re completely cut adrift #wafc

@Stickolas: Very poor decision in the first place, we need a manager with some championship experience as a minimum experience. Need to act quick with so little of the window left.

@LeeWolv: I love Maloney; and one day he might be a good fit for Latics, but right now he isn’t. We need experience to get us out of this mess #wafc

@TDWigan1992: Now I’m not saying I’m convinced by the Maloney appointment, but his record at Hibs was W6, D6, L7. If he can repeat that, we have half a chance. #wafc

@deanlef: Sad for Kolo, but so proud of the club showing balls and acting now to try and salvage the season rather than being stubborn on their wrong appointment. Best bring in someone with experience in the championship and fighting relegation now or it will be Groundhog Day!

@murphy_mikey: Very few options available right now, if the board is serious about staying in this division then go get Wilder or that calibre with experience. If settling for relegation and a rebuild(again) then Maloney it is. Getting used to winning league one then getting relegated. #wafc

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