While most of the Celtic fans are eagerly waiting to see who else might sign or leave Parkhead in this January transfer window, there’s news emerging of an amazing in and out elsewhere involving former stars of the club. Wigan Athletic had surprised many by appointing Kolo Toure as their new manager back in November of last year.
And they’ve sprung another shock by showing the former Celtic player and coach the exit door just two months later.
With the club rooted at the bottom of the English Championship table and no wins in Toure’s 9 games in charge, it seems they did not want to wait any longer to see if things would improve under the new boss. As one former Celtic player leaves though, it now looks as if another could replace him in that Wigan Athletic hot seat.
As reported by Wigan Today, it’s understood that Shaun Maloney has emerged as the overwhelming choice to succeed Toure.
Former Celtic star looks set to replace Toure as Wigan Athletic manager
Maloney does have a strong Wigan Athletic connection already and is well regarded by fans for his 4 years playing there.
That, of course, included an extraordinary day at Wembley in 2013 when Maloney picked up an FA Cup winners’ medal as Wigan defeated Manchester City 1-0 with a very late goal.
Maloney, in addition to knowing the Lancashire club well, would bring decent practical coaching knowledge to the role, even if his managerial experience is more limited. He spent time coaching in the Belgian national team set up, when Roberto Martinez was in the Red Devils hot seat.
His first spell as a manager was at Hibernian last season and, it didn’t last very long. But then, the Premiership club have not shown much improvement since his departure either. And now, all signs seem to point towards Wigan.