Wigan sack boss Leam Richardson following eight-game winless run

Wigan sack boss Leam Richardson following eight-game winless run – despite the highly rated manager only signing a three-year contract three WEEKS ago

Wigan Athletic have sacked manager Leam Richardson after a run of eight successive games without a win.

The move will still come as a surprise with many aware of the remarkable job Richardson has performed under difficult circumstances over the past three seasons – taking Wigan from administration and a League One relegation battle back into the Championship.

Last season, despite limited resources and a small squad, Richardson drove Wigan to the League One title under their new ownership, which saw them claim promotion back to the second tier after a two-year absence.

That had come after he had battled against the odds to keep them up the previous season, was commended for saving the life of Charlie Wyke, after the striker suffered a cardiac arrest, and had the club’s south stand renamed after him for his efforts.

Indeed, the highly rated 42-year old only signed a new three year contract two weeks ago.

Following Tuesday’s defeat to Coventry City Richardson said: “You can’t feel sorry for yourself, and won’t feel sorry for ourselves. We knew our challenge last summer, coming into this league, with the group that we had, we knew it would be challenging.’

However, that defeat has prompted the reaction from chairman Talal al Hammad.

Recent results have seen them fall into the bottom three, with Wigan sitting 22nd in the table as they face relegation rivals Blackpool, who are fourth from bottom, at home on the weekend.

Wigan remain two points from safety and 11 from the play off positions.

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