Wigan next manager latest: Ex-Aston Villa star on shortlist to succeed Ryan Lowe
Barnsley manager Conor Hourihane is believed to be a candidate to succeed Ryan Lowe as Wigan Athletic boss.
Wigan sacked Lowe on Saturday in the immediate aftermath of their crushing 6-1 defeat to Peterborough United.
The former Preston North End boss led the Latics to a 15th-placed finish last term after being appointed in March, but the club are now sat 22nd in League One with seven league wins all season.
Football Insider revealed on Monday that Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell was being considered by Wigan, with his close ties to the club being a key factor in the board’s thoughts.
They need to appoint a new permanent boss soon, with Glenn Whelan currently in charge on an interim basis, and one his former teammates in Hourihane is believed to be in the frame.
Conor Hourihane is a target for Wigan alongside Gary Caldwell
Journalist Alan Nixon has reported that Wigan have put Hourihane on their shortlist of four bosses to succeed Lowe, alongside Caldwell.
The 35-year-old took his first full-time job in management last April at Barnsley, after a stint as their interim boss, and they sit 15th in League One as it stands.
Other bosses remain in the running to be approached by Wigan, but the report states that Hourihane and Caldwell look to have the edge in the race, despite potential compensation issues.
Who else is in the running to be Wigan’s next manager?
Wigan have 17 games to save their season and avoid relegation to League Two, as well as the small matter of an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
It is surely set to be an attractive job to managers who are after a new challenge, with former Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy believed to be in the running to be the next Wigan boss, at 12/1 odds with one of the UK’s leading bookmakers.
Will Still has also emerged as the bookies’ favourite to take the reins at Wigan over the last few days, but it is now Caldwell who clearly leads the market at 1/5 odds.
Others included in the running with one of the top bookmakers are Ruaidhri Higgins (16/1) and Leighton Baines, as well as Wayne Rooney, Robbie Savage and Scott Brown (all 33/1).