Former Arsenal defender Kolo Toure is closing in on becoming the new Wigan manager. After meeting with the owners of the Championship squad, Toure, 41, who is currently the first-team coach at Leicester City, impressed them sufficiently to be given the post. Wigan, who has been looking for a new manager since letting go of Leam Richardson last Thursday, is anticipated to make the announcement this weekend. Yaya Toure, who is on the coaching staff for Tottenham’s academy, was also a candidate for the position but decided to stay put. After retiring from playing in the 2016–17 season with Celtic, former Ivory Coast international Kolo Toure accepted a coaching position with the Scottish Premiership team in September 2017 before being linked to Wigan.
When the Northern Irishman took over as Foxes manager in February 2019, Toure then accompanied Rodgers to Leicester. However, Toure now appears set to accept his first managerial position at Wigan, who are now 22nd in the Championship and in danger of being relegated. Following an eight-game losing streak, the Latics fired Richardson just two weeks after offering him a new three-year contract.
“I am really heartbroken to have left Wigan Athletic Football Club and that we won’t be able to complete our work together. Every day, I was preoccupied with all of the club’s departments because it was still in transition,” former Wigan manager Richardson said. “Over the past five and a half years, it has been an honor to manage and coach such a magnificent football team. I have put a lot of effort into developing players and staff, as well as creating an atmosphere and culture that permeates the entire football club, from the first team to the academy. I believed we were making significant progress to position Wigan Athletic to reclaim its rightful place at the top of the football league, both on and off the field.”
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