Wigan sack Kolo Toure 60 days after appointing him

Kolo Toure is no longer Wigan's manager

EFL Wigan sack Kolo Toure 60 days after appointing him

Joba Ogunwale 21:40 - 26.01.2023

The Latics have parted ways with the former Arsenal and Manchester City man just two months after he was named the club’s manager.

Wigan Athletic have announced the sacking of former Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure as the club’s head coach. 

Wigan took the decision to sack Toure following a poor run of form that saw the Latics go nine games without a win. 

Toure pays the price for Wigan's poor form

Toure was only appointed as Wigan’s boss on November 29, 2022, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract with the club. The appointment was seen as another breakthrough for black coaches, especially for African coaches. 

Kolo Toure has been sacked as Wigan's manager

However, two months after his appointment, Toure has been relieved of his duties at The DW stadium. Wigan released a statement on their website, with the club’s chief executive thanking Toure for his time at the 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.”

Toure's poor numbers 

Toure’s sacking has been long coming after failing to win any of his nine games in charge. The former Arsenal defender lost six games out of the nine he managed, averaging 0.33 points per game. 

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Five of the six games he lost came in the league, with the Latics sitting bottom of the Championship table with 25 points in 28 games, four points away from safety. The final straw that broke the camel’s back was the 2-0 home defeat to Luton Town last Saturday. 

Kolo Toure was formerly an assistant under Brendan Rodgers

Wigan’s job was Toure’s first role as the head coach of a football team. Before taking the job, Toure served as an assistant under Rodgers at Leicester City while he was also part of the Northern Irishman’s backroom staff at Celtic. 

He also had a short spell as Ivory Coast assistant manager in 2017. 

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