3 managers Wigan Athletic must consider ASAP after Ryan Lowe sack decision ft ex-Swansea boss | OneFootball

3 managers that Wigan Athletic must consider following the sacking of Ryan Lowe.

Wigan Athletic have parted company with manager Ryan Lowe after just under 11 months in charge, leaving the club in the relegation zone in League One.

Lowe arrived at the Brick Community Stadium in March last year following his sacking from Preston North End, but the partnership didn't yield the results that had been hoped for when he was appointed.

The 47-year-old guided the Latics to a 15th place finish last season, and there was hope that they could kick on this time around and push towards the top end of the League One table.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen, and after a wretched run of form which culminated in a 6-1 defeat against Peterborough United, Lowe was sacked by Wigan, leaving them 22nd in the third tier, under serious threat of relegation.

With the Greater Manchester club now in the hunt for a new manager to keep them in the division, Football League World decided to look at three realistic options they must consider to be Lowe's successor.

3 ? ? Alan Sheehan

Alan Sheehan has been out of work for almost six months following his sacking by Swansea City. The 39-year-old landed the managerial gig with the Welsh club, having impressed as an interim, but failed to kick on after being given the job permanently.

However, Sheehan's coaching CV is superb, and it's a surprise that he hasn't been snapped up by a League One side yet. Despite his lack of experience as a number one, the former midfielder would be a shrewd pick-up for Wigan.

The Latics have a solid crop of attacking players, who are far better than their league position suggests. With Sheehan's attacking-minded style of football, he could bring the best out of the likes of Joe Taylor, Caylan Vickers, and Fraser Murray.

It would represent a big risk appointing someone with a lack of experience in the midst of a relegation battle, but with his style of play suiting the current squad's strengths, Sheehan would be a great long-term option to begin the rebuilding process.

2 ? ? Nigel Pearson

This may come as somewhat of a left-field suggestion, given Nigel Pearson hasn't set foot in a dugout since 2023, but when you consider Wigan's current predicament, this appointment just makes sense.

The 62-year-old is the man renowned for orchestrating the great escape with Leicester City back in 2015, and whilst this challenge is a completely different kettle of fish, Pearson has a reputation for pulling off huge results when the stakes are high.

It may not be a pretty or exciting appointment, but Wigan need to look at the short-term right now. Relegation to League Two would be sore, and require an even bigger rebuild in the summer, which the Latics simply can't afford to do.

With that in mind, bringing in Pearson would give them a fighting chance of beating the drop, and then finding someone who can build on the foundations set by the former Leicester boss, should he be happy to accept a short-term role.

1 ? ? Glenn Whelan

Glenn Whelan is set for his second spell as Wigan's interim manager after the sacking of Lowe, and whilst many supporters will be looking for an external appointment, seeing the 42-year-old get the job on a full-time basis wouldn't be astounding.

The former midfielder's playing career speaks for itself, and having held coaching roles with Bristol Rovers, the Republic of Ireland, and Wigan, now could be the time that Whelan fancies himself to land his first managerial gig.

Following the sacking of Shaun Maloney last March, Whelan took charge of the Latics for two games, winning one and drawing the other, becoming somewhat of a cult hero at the Brick Community Stadium.

Of course, his experience is limited, but he's already proven he can come in and immediately get results, which is exactly what Wigan need right now.