Former Celtic star sacked from English League One side

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The Celtic Star

·4 March 2025

Former Celtic star sacked from English League One side

Former Celtic fans-favourite Shaun Maloney has been dismissed from his position as Wigan Athletic boss…

Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney looks on during the Sky Bet League One match between Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town at DW Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Wigan. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

The English League One side announced the immediate departure of Shaun Maloney from his managerial role.

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A season of underwhelming performances

Maloney’s exit comes after a season of underwhelming performances, especially at home, despite his previous attempts to steer the club through a challenging spell both on and off the pitch. The 42 year-old took charge of the Latics in January 2023, eight months after being harshly sacked from Hibernian, stepping into a squad battling relegation from the EFL Championship.

Shaun Maloney, Manager of Wigan Athletic, speaks to the media prior to the Emirates FA Cup Second Round match between York City and Wigan Athletic at LNER Community Stadium on December 01, 2023 in York. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Although the ex-Scotland internationalist was unable to avoid relegation, Wigan Athletic’s hierarchy retained his position for the 2023/2024 English League One season.

Maloney navigated a squad rebuild and had to contend with an eight-point deduction in the summer of 2023, guiding Wigan to a solid mid-table finish. His tenure at Wigan featured few memorable highlights, but Maloney’s side were involved in a high-profile Emirates FA Cup Third Round clash against Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United in January 2024.

Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney looks on during the Sky Bet League One match between Birmingham City FC and Wigan Athletic FC at St Andrew’s@Knighthead Park on August 31, 2024 in Birmingham. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Sacking triggered by a 2-1 home defeat to Reading

However, Maloney’s departure was ultimately triggered by a 2-1 home defeat to Reading on Saturday, leaving Wigan only six points clear of the relegation zone.

Following retirement from professional football in 2017, Maloney, who earned 46 caps for Scotland, went on to coach at Celtic and with the Belgian National Team under Roberto Martinez.

Here are some of Shaun Maloney’s goalscoring exploits during his playing career.

Conor Spence