English Championship side Wigan Athletic has confirmed the appointment of Kolo Toure as new manager.
Toure, who was part of the Leicester City’s first team coaching staff, takes over from Leam Richardson who was shown the door earlier this month after a run of eight successive games without a win.
The 41-year-old, Toure has signed a three-and-half year deal that will keep him at the club until the end of 2025/2026 season.
Toure will be assisted by Rob Kelly, who has agreed to continue with his role as Assistant Manager. Others coaches who have joined the technical bench include Kevin Betsy and Ashvir Johal, whose roles have not been announced by the club.
“We are delighted that Kolo has become the new manager of Wigan Athletic Football Club, and the Board are pleased that he is the man to take us forward,” said Wigan’s Chief Executive Malachy Brannigan.
“We received a high calibre of applicants for the manager’s job in recent weeks, in a very thorough recruitment process as we looked to appoint the right person for the role.
“From the earliest of conversations we had with Kolo, it was evident to us that he had instantly bought into the values of the Club – with his enthusiasm, knowledge and immense desire to work and be part of Wigan Athletic shining throughout the process.
“There is no doubt that this appointment is an exciting one for the Football Club. Kolo is a manager who wants to play a positive brand of football and will strive every day to make the Club stronger.
“The work starts immediately with the first team squad, as the season is just a couple of weeks away from restarting.
“As a Board of Directors, we look forward to working closely with Kolo and his team as the work begins collectively to establish Wigan Athletic as a Championship Club.”
The former Ivory Coast international first game in charge will be an English Championship clash on Millwall on Saturday 10 December.
“I am sure that all Latics supporters will get behind the appointment of Kolo Touré, give their backing to the staff and the players, as the Football Club begins a new, exciting era – starting at Millwall on December 10th,” added Brannigan.
Toure has already flown to Turkey to join Wigan Athletic ,who are currently on mid-season training camp where he will look to hit the ground running and implement philosophy and ideas onto the first team environment.
The former central defender started his football career at Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas in 1999, and had an illustrious playing career with Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Celtic FC all on his footballing resume, as well as 120 caps for his native Ivory Coast.
Touré made more than 500 senior appearances over a 15-year period, with an honours list that includes two Premier League titles – one as an Arsenal ‘Invincible’, two FA Cups, two Scottish Premiership titles, as well as success on the international stage with an African Cup of Nations back in 2015.
Additional information: wiganathletic.com
