Wigan have parted company with manager Owen Coyle after less than six months in the role. The club have slipped to 14th spot with 22 points from 16 games. They are six points off the play-offs positions which is deemed to be unacceptable for a club that only last season was plying their trade in the top flight and winning the FA Cup. Wigan have lost four of their last five games including a 3-1 home defeat by Derby on Sunday
The former St Johnstone, Burnley and Bolton boss replaced Roberto Martinez as manager in June, with the hope he could lead Wigan back into the Premier League at the first attempt following relegation.
The 47-year-old however could only achieve seven wins out of his 23 games in charge.
Wigan in their first European campaign, though are also in a strong position to qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League having taken five points from their first three group games, but losses against Rubin Kazan and Zulte Waregem have left them requiring results elsewhere to go their way in order to reach the knockout stages of the competition.
A statement released on Monday by the club confirmed Coyle had left the DW Stadium ‘by mutual agreement’ following talks with chairman Dave Whelan. First-team coach Graham Barrow and assistant boss Sandy Stewart will take charge of the team for the visit to Leeds on Wednesday.
Elsewhere rumours suggest another former Burnley manager, Steve Cotterill could be about to be appointed manager of League One, Bristol City.
Cotterill has emerged as a short-priced favourite to become Bristol City’s next head coach according to the local Bristol Post. The club decided to sack Sean O’Driscoll last Thursday with the former Championship club now languishing second from bottom in League 1
It is believed the former Cheltenham, Burnley, Notts County, Portsmouth and Nottingham Forest boss heads the club`s wanted list. The 39 year old is a free agent after giving up his coaching role at QPR earlier this season and is thought to have already been contacted by the Ashton Gate board with suggestions that an appointment could soon be announced.
Exeter’s Paul Tisdale and former Portsmouth and Blackburn manager Michael Appleton are also thought to be in contention.
Cotterill has also been linked with the managerial vacancy at League One, Crawley following the departure of Richie Barker.
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