Kolo Toure sacked by Wigan Athletic after winless 59 days in charge

Kolo Toure has been sacked at Wigan Athletic after failing to record a victory during his 59 days in charge at the DW Stadium.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City centre-back, 41, lasted less than two months in his first managerial appointment and has left the club bottom of the Championship, effectively five points from safety.

Malachy Brannigan, Wigan’s chief executive, took swift action after fearing relegation to the third tier without making a change to the coaching staff, with Kevin Betsy and Ashvir Johal from Toure’s team also departing.

Toure was appointed during the break for the World Cup and initially started with a draw against Millwall, although they would only pick up one more point during just nine games in charge after succeeding Leam Richardson on Nov 29.

“After a run of results that sees the Club in a fight for survival in the Sky Bet Championship, the Board believe that this is the right time to make a change,” read a statement from Wigan.

“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,” added Brannigan.

“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 started his coaching career with the Ivory Coast, who he represented as a player. He was a technical assistant at Celtic before being part of Brendan Rodgers’ team at Leicester City, then became a No1 himself when Wigan moved for him two months ago.