The former Hearts and Aston Villa star has a huge week ahead after becoming manager at Wigan Athletic
A former Hearts, Aston Villa and Sheffield Wednesday star is on a collision course with Arsenal after a sacking in the English Football League.
Ryan Lowe have been relieved of his duties as Wigan Athletic manager after the League One side were hammered 6-1 by Peterborough United on Saturday. Pressure had already been building on the Latics gaffer, who replaced ex-Hibs boss Shaun Maloney last year, and now the axe has fallen on his tenure with Wigan sat 22nd in the 24-team division.
Just like he did with Maloney last year, Glenn Whelan has stepped in to help oversee the first team. He comes with vast experience in England as a player at sides like Sheffield Wednesday, Stoke City and Aston Villa, before trying his hand at Scottish football with Hearts in 2019. Whelan ended his career at Bristol Rovers before the ex-midfielder moved into coaching and has been at Wigan since 2024.
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He is now set to face off with Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta, as after Tuesday’s game with Reading in the league, Wigan take on the Premier League leaders at the Emirates on FA Cup business. A club statement reads: “Wigan Athletic can confirm that they have parted company with Head Coach Ryan Lowe.
“In the interim, Glenn Whelan & Graham Barrow will take on First Team matters, and the Club will work quickly to identify and appoint a new Head Coach of the Football Club. The Club would like to place on record its thanks to Ryan for his efforts and wishes him all the best for the future.”
Rowe said last week of his position: “I just keep doing what I'm doing on a daily basis, with my work for my job with the lads. 'm here for the boys and for the football club until told otherwise, it's as simple as that, and I'll do my all to try to turn it around. Do I believe I'm the right man for the job? Yes of course I do. But I need other people to believe in me as well. The board and the directors are believing in me…
Ryan Lowe on Wigan Athletic pressure
"Look, early in the season, the way we were playing, we were maybe thinking we could nick a play-off spot. We're going through a bit of a bad time at the moment, and I understand the frustration...I don't understand the criticism.
"Look, it's not about me, it's about the players...and I need to protect the players. I know my job, I know what I'm doing works, it's proven to work, that's evident to see. We're here for the challenge, and sometimes you do go through tough times in football. We know where we are, we know what we need, and I'm just determined to give it my all for the players and for the football club, for as long as I'm here.
“I don't want to sound like I'm criticising the fans...and I'm not...because I'm a fan myself. I'm not feeling sorry for myself in any way, shape or form...I'm just here to help the club be better. I've had two promotions, and then I was able to go up into the Championship (moved from Plymouth to Preston. I managed to finish in the top half three times in two and half years at Preston. And I haven't become a bad manager, or a bad head coach, overnight. I know what it needs, I know what it takes...and I've had one full transfer window, plus this one we're in now, which has mostly been looking at loans.”
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