Wigan Athletic appoint Kolo Touré as new manager
Wigan Athletic have appointed Kolo Touré as their new manager.
The former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool defender moves to the Latics after leaving his coaching role at Leicester after nine months in the job.
It follows the sacking of Leam Richardson after a poor run of form left the Sky Bet Championship club in the Championship relegation zone.
Toure has signed a three-and-a-half year contract and takes over at the DW Stadium with the club 22nd in the table, having won just six of their 21 games.
The former Ivory Coast international told the club’s website: "I am extremely proud to be named manager of Wigan Athletic. Wigan Athletic is a big club with hugely passionate fans. Together, we can continue to make the right steps forward.
"I’m excited to work with this talented group of players and staff, and immensely look forward to my time ahead."
Chief executive Malachy Brannigan said: “We are delighted that Kolo has become the new manager of Wigan Athletic Football Club, and the board are pleased that he is the man to take us forward.
“We received a high calibre of applicants for the manager’s job in recent weeks, in a very thorough recruitment process as we looked to appoint the right person for the role.
“From the earliest of conversations we had with Kolo, it was evident to us that he had instantly bought into the values of the club with his enthusiasm, knowledge and immense desire to work and be part of Wigan Athletic shining throughout the process.
“There is no doubt that this appointment is an exciting one for the football club. Kolo is a manager who wants to play a positive brand of football and will strive every day to make the club stronger.”
Toure, a former Ivory Coast international and Africa Cup of Nations winner, first came to English football when he joined Arsenal in 2002.
He won the Premier League as a member of the Gunners’ ‘Invincibles’ side in 2004 before going on to win another title with City in 2012.
He later had spells with Liverpool and Celtic before moving into coaching under Brendan Rodgers, first at the Scottish club and then at Leicester.
Former Crawley manager Kevin Betsy and Ashvir Johal, who had been working alongside Toure at Leicester, have also been appointed to the Latics coaching team.
Rob Kelly, who had been caretaker boss since Richardson’s departure and oversaw a win over Blackpool in their last game, is to remain at the club as an assistant manager. James Beatie, however, has left his coaching position.
Toure will now join the first-team squad at their mid-season training camp in Turkey ahead of their first match after the break, at Millwall on 10 December.