FORMER Celtic star Shaun Maloney is ready to answer Wigan’s SOS following their sacking of Kolo Toure – after only FIFTY-NINE days in charge.
The ex-Scotland international midfielder was just pipped for the job by the Hoops Invincible, as CQN reported two months ago.
However, Toure has endured a torrid time in the Latics dug-out with the team failing to win in his nine games since taking over. The end was in sight when they lost 2-0 to Luton on Tuesday – their second home defeat in four days – to leave the team anchored to the foot of the Championship, four points adrift of safety.
PARADISE…Kolo Toure during his one season at Celtic during The Invincibles campaign of 2016/17.
The one-time Ivorian international centre-back, who was part of Brendan Rodgers’ all-conquering Celts in season 2016/17 when they went through the season unbeaten, was axed in the fall-out and Wigan are now poised to offer the job to Maloney, according to the Scottish Sun.
The 40-year-old coach, who won the FA Cup in 2018 during his four years at the club, has been out of work since being fired by Hibs in April last year following a short stint as Easter Road gaffer.
In 19 games after he replaced Jack Ross, the Edinburgh club won six, drew six and lost seven before he was dismissed.
Maloney earned his coaching badges during his spell at Parkhead while working with the development sides that he joined up with Roberto Martinez in the Belgium national team set-up in 2018.
The departing Toure only signed a three-and-a-half-year deal in late November, but his stay has now ended abruptly with the club on the brink of dropping into the English third-tier.
