Kolo Toure sacked by Wigan after just nine games in charge as club issue statement

On Jan 26, 2023

Kolo Toure has been sacked as manager of Wigan Athletic after just nine matches in charge.

The former Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool defender has been at the helm at the DW Stadium for less than two months, having only been appointed at the end of November. But Toure’s time as boss has been nothing short of dismal, as he failed to deliver a single victory to address Wigan’s slump.

The Latics are rooted to the bottom of the Championship table and are currently four points off safety. The club’s board issued a statement insisting a change was “necessary” as coaches Kevin Betsy and Ashvir Johal follow Toure out of the door.

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.”

Toure failed to win any of his nine games at the helm before his sacking
(Image: MI News/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock)

It was Toure’s first role in management after learning the ropes as a coach under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers at both Celtic and Leicester. Wigan held Millwall to a point on the road in his first game in charge, but then suffered four consecutive defeats, including three 4-1 losses.

Despite his brief stint, three of the matches were against Luton, including his final two, where successive defeats in the FA Cup and then the league – both at home – were enough to convince the board to make a change. Toure had signed a three-and-a-half year deal when he was appointed.