Kolo Touré fired as Wigan manager after less than two months in charge

Wigan have sacked their manager, Kolo Touré, after less than two months with the club failing to win any of his nine games in charge.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City defender signed a three-and-a-half-year deal when he took the job on 29 November but picked up only two points from seven league games and also suffered defeat in the FA Cup at the hands of Luton after a replay. Last weekend’s 2-0 home loss to the same opposition in the league left Wigan bottom of the Championship, four points from safety.

The job was Touré’s first as a manager after coaching roles with his native Ivory Coast as well as Celtic and Leicester. His backroom staff, Kevin Betsy and Ashvir Johal, have also left the DW Stadium.

The Wigan chief executive, Malachy Brannigan, 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.”