Hutchings sacked by Wigan

[sportbilly]

Chris Hutchings has been dismissed as manager of Wigan Athletic.



The Latics have lost their last six games with chairman Dave Whelan deciding to wield the axe after Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea.


Wigan have not won since August's victory at home to Sunderland and crashed out of the Carling Cup to Hull.


Hutchings took over from Paul Jewell in the summer, but he has failed to transform the club's fortunes with Wigan sitting third from bottom of the table.


Frank Barlow has been placed in caretaker charge of the club as they look for a new manager

A club statement read: "Wigan Athletic have announced this morning that they have parted company with manager Chris Hutchings with immediate effect.


"Assistant Manager Frank Barlow will be taking charge of the first team on a caretaker basis, starting with next Sunday's trip to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.


"The club wish to put on record their immense gratitude for Chris' efforts, in particular his contribution to the meteoric rise of Wigan Athletic over the past six and a half seasons."


A number of names have been linked with the post with Graeme Souness mentioned over the weekend as a possible replacement for Hutchings and Whelan says he will step up his search for a new manager.


"My energies will now be fully focused on getting the right man - firstly to stop the decline we have suffered in the last two months or so, and secondly, to take us forward in the future," said Whelan.


"This search will be exhaustive, and I will not be commenting on any names or

speculation until I have found the man I want."