Former Celtic attacker Shaun Maloney looks set to be appointed as the new manager of EFL Championship Wigan Athletic. The highly-rated Maloney made 215 appearances for The Hoops across two spells but he is currently out of work having been sacked by Hibs.
Maloney, who started his coaching journey at Celtic, had worked with Belgium as Assistant Manager to Roberto Martinez. Although, he could be closing in on his second No.1 role having had a taste for it at Easter Road.
According to Wigan Today, via The Record, Maloney has been interviewed and is ‘set’ to become the new manager of the Latics.
Another ex-Celt, Kolo Toure, was dismissed earlier this evening after just nine games in charge. The move appears to be motivated by an attempt to roll the dice on avoiding relegation.
Now, Maloney has emerged as the favourite for the Latics vacancy, meaning that a return to the club where he won the FA Cup could be on the cards. Albeit, it is maybe not the most stable club situation to walk into.
The 40-year-old was sacked by Hibs after just four months in the hot seat, a bizarre decision by Ron Gordon but one that will have been a blow to the ex-Aston Villa and Wigan winger.
It will be interesting to see where Maloney ends up, he is very highly rated but was slated by Hibs fans. Incidentally, Hibs, who recruited heavily in the summer under Lee Johnston, have struggled again this season suggesting that the issue wasn’t of Maloney’s making.
🚨⚽️ | It is my understanding that Shaun Maloney will become the next manager of Wigan Athletic in the coming days.
Maloney will make a sensational return to the club where he won the FA Cup under Roberto Martinez in 2013.https://t.co/aTm8s6Wb4A pic.twitter.com/WMIAGl8B8H
— Callum McFadden (@Callum7McFadden) January 26, 2023
