Kolo Toure has been sacked as the manager of Wigan after taking charge of the team just nine games ago.
The former Ivory Coast international, and brother of former Manchester City star Yaya Toure, was shown the exit door by the Lactics after he failed to record a single win in his nine games as Wigan manager.
Kolo Toure succeeded Leam Richardson as Wigan Manager in November 2022 and had gotten to a worst start than his predecessor before the club’s hierarchy called off the appointment.
The former Premier League top defender, who played for Manchester City and Arsenal, managed just two points after nine games with the Lactics and was yet to record a win.
He is now leaving the club at the bottom of the Championship table, four points away from escaping the relegation zone.
The Championship is on a two-week break, and Wigan will return to action on February 6 against Blackburn with hopes of returning to winning ways after the poor run under Kolo Toure.
Wigan Chief, Malachy Brannigan admitted sacking Kolo Toure as the manager of the club was a difficult decision, but he had no choice as he hopes to retain the club in Championship next season by avoiding relegation.
“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”, he said.
Also leaving the club with Kolo Toure are two members of Toure’s staff Kevin Betsy and Ashvir Johal.
The remaining coaching staff will take interim charge of the team and will oversee the match against Blackburn next month.
Meanwhile, the club has confirmed they are working to immediately find a successor for Kolo Toure while thanking the former Arsenal and Manchester City defender for his efforts while serving as manager of the club.
“I’d like to thank Kolo, along with Kevin and Ash, for their efforts during their time at the football club,” added Brannigan.
Brannigan gave Wigan fans his word saying he will bring in the right hand who will work in a permanent capacity.
The permanent manager will be saddled with an immediate goal of helping the Lactics avoid relegation and stay in Championship next season, Brannigan added.
Before taking a full role as a manager, Kolo Toure served as Brendan Rodgers’ staff at both Celtic and Leicester before leaving the Foxes for the Wigan position on 29 November.
He began on a good note, securing a 1-1 draw at Millwall. He then lost to Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, and Hull City, in an outrageous manner, especially the latter three.
Kolo Toure admitted that he is still learning about his players when Wigan were knocked out of the FA Cup in a third-round replay by Luton.
He then suffered another defeat to the same opponents in Championship, losing 2-0 at home. The home defeat against a team that knocked him out of the FA Cup was the last straw that broke the camel’s back.
The club’s hierarchy swung into action and relieve him of his role as Wigan Manager.
In the last three years, Wigan have been managed by four different coaches. The club will be looking for their fifth manager after the sack of Kolo Toure.
John Sheridan took over from Paul Cooks, who tendered his resignation in 2020. Sheridan left in November and was succeeded by Kolo Toure’s predecessor Leam Richardson.
Richardson won the League One title with Wigan but was shown the exit door after he struggled in the relegation zone in Championship.
Kolo Toure, his successor has not done better. The team is still trapped in the relegation zone. Toure’s successor now faces a huge task of taking the Latics out of the relegation waters and keeping them in the Championship next season.
