Wigan Athletic confirm significant Shaun Maloney decision | OneFootball

The Latics have sacked the 42-year-old after just two years in charge.

Wigan Athletic have sacked Shaun Maloney after a late 2-1 defeat to Reading on Saturday afternoon, a result that left the club 15th in the League One table.

The Latics confirmed the decision on their website on Sunday morning after a disappointing season, however, it is yet another that has been blighted by situations off the pitch spilling over on to it.

The 42-year-old was appointed as the manager of the Greater Manchester outfit in January 2023 while the club were in the Championship, and although he was not able to keep the team in the second tier, he worked incredibly well on a limited budget last season to ensure his now former side's League One status despite an eight-point deduction.

Assistant manager Max Rogers has also left with Maloney, and former Premier League midfielder Glenn Whelan will take charge of Wigan on an interim basis, supported by club legend Graham Barrow and Frankie Bunn.

Wigan Athletic confirm shock Shaun Maloney departure

The Latics are just six points above the drop zone, and with the form of Burton Albion in recent weeks, that gap has closed and the board has decided that now is the time to relieve the former player-turned-manager of his duties.

Wigan have 13 games left in League One to secure their third tier status for another year, and the search for a replacement has already started to ensure that they do not lag behind their rivals.

In the statement, the club revealed the reason why the decision was made to let Maloney go, stating: "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 have to get the next appointment correct with Maloney a popular figure

The timing of Maloney's sacking will have shocked many Wigan supporters, especially after the incredible job that he has done with them in the last two years.

He was able to keep the team in League One with games to spare despite their points deduction last season and, without much financial backing in both transfer windows in 2024/25, he has kept them relatively competitive.

The next appointment is now vital and the Latics cannot afford their new manager to have a slow-start to life at the Brick Community Stadium with a few more wins still needed to ensure that they do not drop into the fourth tier for the first time since 1997.

Wigan have won just one of their last seven league games and those at the top believe that a fresh start is needed to ensure that they are not relegated, but there will be a large section of the fanbase that believe Maloney should have been given more time.