' LATEST ON WIGAN ATHLETIC AND MALKY MACKAY '

Monday 17th November 2014

' LATEST ON WIGAN ATHLETIC AND MALKY MACKAY '

WIGAN Athletic chairman Dave Whelan will step up his search for a new manager with a view to identifying Uwe Rosler’s successor in time for Saturday’s visit of Middlesbrough.

Whelan is determined to take his time and make sure his third appointment since the departure of Roberto Martinez 17 months ago is absolutely the right man for the job.

The 77-year-old is still putting together his shortlist, with no leading candidate at the moment despite feverish speculation over the weekend.

Early odds-on favourite Malky Mackay has eased in the betting, with Chris Hughton now joint-favourite for the post and the rest available at 16/1 and longer.

But the race remains wide open at this stage, with Graham Barrow and Eric Black continuing to take training in the meantime.

Mason, I will be disappointed if Malky does not get the chance.

Mason, I will be disappointed if Malky does not get the chance.

Me too Annis

Mason, I will be disappointed if Malky does not get the chance.

Me too Annis

Watch out because many on here, want Malky to never have a managers job again

Malky Mackay was reportedly set to be named as boss but the club distanced themselves from the rumours and claim they haven't identified any targets

Managerless Wigan Athletic are unlikely to appoint a new boss before Boro’s visit to the DW Stadium on Saturday.

Early reports suggested chairman Dave Whelan had approached former Cardiff manager Malky Mackay and was set to name the Scot as boss following the sacking of Uwe Rosler on Thursday.

But Wigan's chief executive has distanced the club from the rumours, insisting that Whelan hadn’t lined anybody up as the new manager ahead of Rosler getting the axe.

Jonathan Jackson said the Latics hadn't even drawn up a shortlist of targets and said the club wasn’t putting a timescale on making an appointment.

The chief executive said: "We have not discussed any individual or drawn up a shortlist, never mind actually contacting any potential candidates or their agents.

"As such, I can categorically deny that any one candidate is ahead of any other as regards being appointed as the next manager of Wigan Athletic."

Despite the insistence of the club that no manager has been identified as Rosler's replacement, Malky Mackay remains favourite to take charge at Wigan despite the efforts of local MP Lisa Nandy to convince Whelan to look elsewhere.

Mackay looked set to be named as Crystal Palace boss earlier this season before revelations of racist, homophobic and sexist texts and emails between him and Cardiff’s former head of recruitment Iain Moody.
Wigan fans have reportedly emailed and written to the club claiming they will boycott matches if Mackay is appointment while Labour MP Nandy has also sent a letter to the club expressing her disapproval.

She wrote in her letter: "I understand that no decision has been made at this time, but I am sure Wigan Athletic would not appoint anyone without ensuring first that they have respect for other people regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity or religion.

"Whoever is appointed will be an ambassador for the town, and based on the work your club has done to tackle discrimination over the years, I am confident you would seek to ensure that they share these values."

In the club’s statement following the sacking of Rosler, chief executive Jackson said: "It is important that we appoint the right candidate for the long term and who fits in with the ethos of our football club.

"We will take as long as is necessary to ensure this happens."

Rosler led Wigan to the play-offs last season after replacing Owen Coyle as boss. The Latics were widely tipped for another promotion push this year but have suffered a shocking start to the new season and slipped into the relegation places after a defeat at Bolton before the international break.

Mackay remains 4/5 favourite to get the job with Chris Hughton, Paul Jewell and Mike Phelan also in the running, according the bookies.

Former Boro boss Tony Mowbray was among the early frontrunners but has since slipped out to 33/1 to be named as the new boss.

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/foot ... ss-8122358?

Mason, I will be disappointed if Malky does not get the chance.

Me too Annis

Watch out because many on here, want Malky to never have a managers job again

It doesn't really matter what we think on here, if the fact is that the owners and Chairmen are not considering or giving Malky an interview then it speaks volumes of how seriously his mis-demeanours are being taken within the corridors of power, even if some on here believe he has done very little wrong. Maybe within the game there is much more that is known about that has not been made public, who knows, Hmmm as they say.

Mason, I will be disappointed if Malky does not get the chance.

Me too Annis

Watch out because many on here, want Malky to never have a managers job again

It doesn't really matter what we think on here, if the fact is that the owners and Chairmen are not considering or giving Malky an interview then it speaks volumes of how seriously his mis-demeanours are being taken within the corridors of power, even if some on here believe he has done very little wrong. Maybe within the game there is much more that is known about that has not been made public, who knows, Hmmm as they say.

Nope well off there if you ask me.

The damage was done with those texts. It will take a brave chairman to appoint a person who is associated with such messages. Malky deserves another chance just like Neil Adkins or Neil Warnock has going on ability. Unfortunately for Malky its a wet liberal society we are living in that is the obstacle he has got to come over.