Wigan Athletic have sacked manager Uwe Rosler after a poor start to the season which has left the 2013 FA Cup winners struggling in the Championship relegation zone.
Rosler, 45, was brought to the north west by owner Dave Whelan from west London club Brentford just under 12 months ago and helped Wigan secure a fifth-place finish last season before QPR ended their promotion hopes in the play-offs.
They followed their remarkable 2013 FA Cup glory by making the semi-finals last season, however the 2014/15 campaign has been a battle for the former Manchester City and Germany international, forcing a reluctant Whelan to begin a search for a new regime.
“Following the incredible achievements of last season, I felt it was the right thing to do that Uwe should be given more time,” Whelan said in statement on the club’s website, with Wigan languishing in 22nd having picked up just three wins from 17 league fixtures
“However, the situation we find ourselves in at the moment, and the run of results in recent months, really has been alarming. Something is clearly not working.
“For whatever reason, the team is not gelling, despite substantial financial backing in the summer and the dressing room being blessed with a huge amount of quality.
“Therefore, I have now come to the reluctant conclusion that for the long term good of the club, we need a change.”
Whelan was quick to speak of his admiration for Rosler’s fighting spirit in what was clearly an uphill battle this term.
“He is a good manager and I like him immensely as a person, he is honest, passionate and clearly works day and night to try and earn success for the team.
“Uwe is a good man and a good manager and he will bounce back, I am sure of that. We thank him for his efforts with us, I could not have wished to appoint a more committed and hard-working manager and we sincerely wish him all the best in his future career.”
Whelan added that assistant manager Graham Barrow, aided by first team coach Eric Black, would take temporary charge of first team affairs as Wigan prepare to face Middlesbrough on November 22.
Main image courtesy of Wigan Athletic via YouTube, with thanks.
