Shaun Maloney Sacked as Wigan Manager – Was this the ‘right’ call?

Wigan Athletic have confirmed the departure of manager Shaun Maloney following a difficult League One campaign. The decision comes after a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Reading, leaving the Latics in 15th place with just 39 points from 33 games. Given the ambitions of the club, this was far from the ideal scenario envisioned by the board when Maloney was appointed in January 2023.

A Tough Tenure Amidst Financial Struggles

Maloney, a former Latics player and fan favourite, stepped into the managerial role at a turbulent time. When he took charge, Wigan were already in a difficult position in the Championship, and despite his best efforts, he was unable to prevent relegation to League One. However, he did guide the club to safety last season, overcoming an eight-point deduction in the process.

This season, expectations were higher, but results on the pitch have not matched them. Wigan have struggled for consistency, particularly at home with only 5 home wins, and their return of 39 points from 33 matches reflects a campaign that has been underwhelming at best.

Squad Overhaul & The Challenges Faced

While the club’s performances have been below par, it would be unfair to overlook the obstacles Maloney faced. In recent transfer windows, Wigan have sold some of their best players, including the likes of Charlie Hughes and Thelo Aasgaard, is it really fair to be sacking Maloney based on the limited resources he had?

The club’s recruitment strategy has focused on bringing in younger talents rather than experienced replacements, meaning Maloney has been tasked with developing a squad still finding its feet in senior football. While some of these young players have shown promise, results have not reflected immediate progress, leading to frustration among fans and, ultimately, a lack of faith from the board.

Stephen Humphrys, another former Wigan player who left at the end of the 23/34 season following the expiration of his contract acknowledging what Maloney did from him and the rest of the squad during these turbulent times.

The Board’s Decision & What’s Next

In an official statement, Wigan Athletic acknowledged Maloney’s contributions, including his role in bringing through young players and securing notable victories – particularly three wins over rivals Bolton Wanderers. However, they also stated that a change was necessary to meet the club’s long-term ambitions.

Now, the search begins for a new manager who can get Wigan back on track. With 13 games remaining in the season, the club will be hoping that a fresh appointment can provide the spark needed to finish the campaign strongly.

For many fans, Maloney will always be a club legend, and some may feel that he wasn’t given the best possible conditions to succeed. Furthermore, some would argue that he fought and fought for the club when it was on the brink of extinction. But in football, results are king, and with Wigan failing to hit the levels expected of them, the board has made its decision. The focus now shifts to the future and whether a new manager can turn things around.

However, personally I do think that yes we’ve had an underwhelming season, but with 13 games to go we may as well have let Shaun Maloney finish this season out because we haven’t really got anything to play for, and we just need to ensure that we stay above the drop zone, and then maybe you could think about a successor in the summer. With that being said, feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comments or on social media: @CCFootballVlogs.