Wigan Part Ways With Toure After Nine Matches

Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Kolo Toure has been sacked by Wigan after winning none of the nine games he was in charge of the Championship strugglers.

Toure agreed a three-and-a-half year contract at Wigan on 29 November, but his disastrous reign is already over.

The Latics took just two points from Toure's seven league matches, with a 2-0 loss to Luton last weekend leaving them bottom of the table, four points from safety.

The club were knocked out of the FA Cup by Luton after a replay as the pressure mounted on Toure.

The 41-year-old's dismissal leaves Wigan looking for their fifth permanent manager in the last three years.

Wigan chief executive Malachy Brannigan said: "Firstly, I'd like to thank Kolo, along with Kevin and Ash, for their efforts during their time at the football club. 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.

"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."