Dave Whelan hopes to quickly find a new manager at Wigan Athletic, after asking Owen Coyle to hand in his notice on Monday morning.
When the Latics lost their Premier League status last season, it was always going to be difficult to retain the services of Roberto Martinez. And the Spaniard bid farewell to the DW Stadium when Everton offered him the chance to succeed David Moyes.
Coyle, the former Burnley and Bolton Wanderers boss, was appointed as his replacement, but he has struggled to impress. And following the 3-1 defeat to Derby County at the weekend, the Scot agreed to hand in his notice at the Lancashire club.
“Things happen fairly quickly in football and we have lost three home games in a row,” Whelan told Sky Sports. “I didn’t sack Owen. I had a meeting with him after the game and I told I was disappointed in the performance of the team and in his team selection.
“Owen said did I want him to resign and I said ‘yes, if you’ll resign we will obviously have to pay compensation’ but I accepted his word and he has resigned. I don’t think we parted as enemies. We shook hands at the end and we still have respect for each other.
“We appointed Owen and unfortunately, it has not come off. So the sooner I can get some interviews going, the better. Hopefully I can come to the right decision, get the right man, and start to fight again to get back in the Premier League.”
First team coach Graham Barrow and assistant manager Sandy Stewart have been placed in temporary charge as the search for a new boss begins. Early contenders include the experienced Ian Holloway, and former Manchester United coach Mike Phelan.
