By Victor Kanayo
An English Championship club, Wigan Athletic, has relieved former Liverpool and Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure of his managerial duties.
Toure, was removed after failing to win nine matches consecutively within two months that he was appointed.
In November 2022, Toure signed a three-and-a-half-year deal.
However, after 59 days, his reign has come to an abrupt end.
Disclosing the decision of the club, Wigan Chief Executive Officer Malachy Brannigan via their website, said, “Firstly, I’d like to thank Kolo, along with Kevin (Betsy) and Ash (Johal), 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.”
Toure departs Wigan with the club bottom of the Championship standings, one point off 23rd-placed Blackpool despite having played a game more.
They are four points from Cardiff City and safety, with 18 rounds of actions remaining this season.
Toure retired from playing in September 2017 and joined Brendan Rodgers’ coaching staff at Celtic.
He followed his former manager to Leicester in 2019 and had continued to juggle his responsibilities as a first-team coach at the King Power Stadium, with a role in the Ivory Coast set-up until his appointment at Wigan.
