With Wigan Athletic legend Shaun Maloney having been officially sacked by the club after just over two years at the helm of the Greater Manchester side, fans are now starting to wonder who are the among the favourites to his replacement him as the next manager.
Maloney, who shone as a player at the club from 2011-2015, was put in charge back in January 2023 amidst an extremely difficult few years for the club following the collapsed takeover during the pandemic, record losses of £17.5 million last year, the eventual ownership transition and more.
Nevertheless, his departure was announced on Sunday morning following a 2-1 defeat to Reading at home, leaving the Latics in 15th on 39 points and a somewhat precarious pocket just above the relegation zone.
Having been lauded by many supporters for his valiant efforts in keeping the team afloat during his time at the club, the news hasn’t sat well with a good chunk of the fan base.
Absolute joke of a club. You’ve majorly let maloney down. Then pot him. Embarrassing.
The club expressed plenty of gratitude for the former Scottish footballer, recalling how “Shaun stuck by the Club and helped us overcome an eight-point deduction and a squad overhaul to retain our 2023/24 League One status comfortably with matches to spare.”
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Insisting that he helped them enjoy a number of “proud moments” including “three memorable victories over rivals Bolton Wanderers, just to name a few”, they also credited him with bringing through a lot of promising young players who, helping both the club and them in their respective careers.
“However, it cannot be overlooked that the current League One campaign has clearly not progressed as anticipated”, the statement continued, stating that the “Board felt that it was time for a change.”
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Now, while Wigan are assuring they will take appropriate time before appointing his successor, a fair few names have already been floated. Here’s how the bookies odds are looking at present:
Ryan Lowe – 1/2
Ian Evatt – 8/1
Paul Warne – 10/1
Glenn Whelan – 12/1
Michael Appleton, Jon Brady, Leam Richardson – 16/1
With former Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe thought to be the frontrunner after quitting his previous job back in August; despite initial reports claiming he has been sacked, it is now though the decision was made by mutual consent.
Seemingly second in line is recent local rival Ian Evatt, who was let go by Bolton following an emergency meeting back in January. Although things did end great for Evatt, he did get the Troitters promoted to League One and won the EFL Trophy in the 2022/23 season.
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Whoever is ultimately picked, even former players aren’t exactly on board with dismissing Maloney:
A legend of the club.
Thank you for everything you did for me and my teammates under impossible circumstances.
You won’t find another manager who cares about Wigan Athletic more than Shaun Maloney 💙 https://t.co/9wVZNpejIf
Walsall’s Mat Sadler and former Swansea City head coach Luke Williams have also been foated as potential replacements, though there are by no means among the favourites to be selected as the next Wigan manager.
Regardless of how much competitive success he achieved in his turbulent tenure, you don’t get fan edits like the one below without making an impact and leaving an impression. He’ll be missed around the DW Stadium, there’s no question about it.
Who would you like to see at the next Wigan manager, ‘Tics?
While this new venture is focused on youth football, it’s their second in the United States after New York City FC and could help create new pro pathways into the sport at a grassroots level.
Introducing CFG franchise number 13: Man City North Texas FC.
As per an official statement on their website, “Man City North Texas FC delivers youth soccer programs for boys and girls aged 8–19, led by Manchester City coaches and built on the same coaching methodology developed within the Club.
“Every session is designed to help players become better soccer players, technically, tactically, and mentally, through modern, enjoyable training that builds confidence on and off the pitch.”
Basically serving as another academy setup across the pond, North Texas FC will no doubt help not only develop and create opportunities for aspiring young footballers over in the US, but likely serve as yet another feeder programme/outlet for tapping up the latest American talents.
We’ve already seen fairly recently examples such as ex-players Jack Harrison and Zack Steffen coming through the likes of New York and remaining on City’s wider books and either making the move over for a taste of first-team football or being loaned out to other teams.
Even if they ultimately go on to be sold, the aim is to help nurture youngsters and promise three main takeaways: an “authentic Manchester City methodology”, delivered by actual MCFC coaches, and a clear development pathway.
CITYCOACH gives coaches around the world access to the Manchester City methodology – sharing the knowledge, practices, and philosophy that shape how we develop players at every level ⚽️
This most recent ‘youth soccer club’ is just the latest in a long line of fresh Manchester City Football Programs created over the past decade or so, with coaching now being provided to children of all ages across a total of 38 cities in 14 countries.
At present, more than 40,000 kids are estimated to participate in these schemes every year, and thanks to Man City North Texas FC, that number is set to climb even further.
So, if you or someone you know happens to be based in or near the ‘Mean Green’ sporting hub of the ‘Lone Star State’, you can register interest HERE.
Meanwhile, in news closer to home, there are plenty of other big developments happening over at the Etihad Campus. Find out more down below.
The Premier League is keeping its crucial cap on away game ticket prices – for now
Danny Jones
The Premier League has announced it is extending its crucial price cap for away games, as the general cost of match tickets continues to creep up all over the country.
Most season card holders, be they here in Greater Manchester or elsewhere, are likely looking at their annual spending going up simply, so steps like these are key in keeping first division football as affordable as possible.
And that’s just the ongoing cost of living, let alone the clubs that are continuing the trend of charging more each year and, unfortunately, even pricing some supporters out entirely.
With that in mind, the news of England’s top-flight sides voting unanimously to keep the £30 cap intact for at least another two years comes as relief to those who spend most of the year putting their hard-earned cash towards following their team home and away.
BREAKING: The Premier League extend £30 cap on away tickets for another two seasons 🚨 pic.twitter.com/L336aZwmn3
Now confirmed to remain in place until the end of the 2027/28 campaign, travelling fans obviously still spend plenty of money on transport and so on every year, but at least they don’t have to worry about rising general admissions.
At least not for the time being…
Writing in a statement, the Premier League said: “Away fans help create the incredible atmosphere Premier League matches are renowned for. Since the cap’s implementation in 2016, it has contributed to attendance at away games increasing from 82% to 91%.”
They also acknowledged the significant and regular funds that supporters still spend on these trips, with plenty of people online also praising the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), which helped spearhead the campaign over a decade ago.
With so many other obstacles still getting in the way of fans making it to games either at their usual stadium or on an away day – not least of all the constant and increasingly frustrating rescheduling of fixtures – it’s good to see this isn’t an area the Prem are trying to target.
As always, the multi-billion-pound business can always seek out other, newer money spinners, and we’re absolutley certain they will. For instance, there’s at least one happening over in Spain that we’d happily see carried over here.
Following the news, this now means that fans will ultimately have enjoyed 12 back-to-back seasons of the benefit, and long may it continue.
Nevertheless, the biggest barrier for people to watch the beautiful game at its highest level in the UK remains the cost of standard tickets.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds and more have already let matchgoers know that their season ticket prices will be going up, and the likes of Man City have already seen backlash for increasing rates amid the expansion of the Etihad Campus.
Danny Jones -
4th March 2025 
