Wigan Athletic have sacked manager Uwe Rosler, after recent dismal displays have left them trailing the Sky Bet Championship in 22nd place.

A recent 3-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers became the final straw as Rosler’s side fell into the relegation zone, having overcome Premier League giants Manchester City in the FA Cup Final just last year.

The 45-year-old enjoyed four managerial spells before making the switch to the Latics, replacing Owen Coyle in December 2013. Having previously managed 136 games at Brentford, the German also had a short spell with Molde FK, Viking and Lillestrom.

At times like this, you need to make difficult decisions and today has been a very difficult day for me because I really respect him and he’s a really good manager.

Wigan Athletic owner Dave Whelan commented on the decision, saying:

"I still regard Uwe as a really good manager but we’ve played 17 games, won three and are in the bottom three.

"At times like this, you need to make difficult decisions and today has been a very difficult day for me because I really respect him and he’s a really good manager - he’s just had some bad luck.

"Football is a really cruel game – but we’ve only won three games and that’s not acceptable to me or the supporters. Sometimes you have to make decisions that are painful but necessary."

Rosler returned to Manchester City in early 2014, and led his side to a shock 2–1 victory over his former club at the Etihad Stadium, sending his side to the semi-final of the FA Cup. However, Rosler failed to guide his squad to the finals, losing 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium. Whelan continued to add:

"Whoever takes Uwe as their next manager, they’ve got a good lad. I’m sorry to lose him but in the circumstances, I had no other choice to make.

“We had to change the manager - we do not want to go down another division. I’m Wigan through and through and I have to protect our football club.

“He’s a gentleman. He accepted what I was saying and took it straight on the chin. He said 'I respect what you’re doing, I know we’ve been going through a difficult time'."

Former Cardiff manager Malky Mackay is an early favourite to replace the former centre forward, who featured over 150 times for Manchester City in the 1990’s. However, Whelan has claimed he is yet to have a new boss lined-up.

“I have no-one in mind, it only dawned on me after we lost at Bolton. The whole town was disappointed and I was floored by it. However, that’s football and we’ve got to move on.

"Whoever takes Uwe as their next manager – they’ve got a good lad – I’m sorry to lose him but in the circumstances I had no other choice to make."

"All the fans want to see is good football and Wigan back in the Premier League. I’m a supporter of Wigan, I’m one of them.

“Hopefully they’ll support me and they’ll support the new manager – but sometimes football is tough. I made the decision yesterday and it’s been an awful day for me.

“I love Wigan and I feel it’s in the best interests of the club. I wish Uwe the very best of luck in his next job."

Wigan Athletic have confirmed that Graham Barrow, the current assistant manager, will take temporary charge of the first team, assisted by current first team coach Eric Black.

 

 

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About the author
Kane Brooker
Kane is an 18-year-old Sports Journalist who predominantly covers Manchester United FC while having a heavy involvement in the Boxing office. Having joined the VAVEL team back in October 2014, he has previously featured for Sky Sports News while writing regularly for The Non-League Paper. Kane is also the club reporter, programme editor and press and communications officer for Walton Casuals Football Club.