adminTENDAYI Darikwa’s manager, Leam Richardson, has been sacked by English championship side Wigan Athletic.
His dismissal comes after they lost six of their past seven games to fall into the Championship relegation zone.
The 42-year-old led the Latics to the League One title last season in his first full season in charge.
He appointed Darikwa as the club captain.
Richardson, who had only signed a new three-year deal on 25 October, initially joined the club as assistant to Paul Cook in the summer of 2017.
Assistant Rob Kelly has been placed in caretaker charge.
Richardson took over on a temporary basis in November 2020 after John Sheridan left with the club in administration and struggling at the bottom of League One.
He guided the club to safety with a strong finish to the season and new owners Phoenix 2021 Limited appointed him on a permanent basis in April 2021.
They missed two chances to seal automatic promotion last season before ultimately claiming the title on the final day with a 3-0 win over Shrewsbury.
A win over Blackburn on 12 October moved them to within two points of the Championship play-offs places this season but they have taken just one point from the subsequent seven matches and lost 2-0 at Coventry on Tuesday.
They are two points behind 21st-placed Blackpool, who visit the DW Stadium on Saturday.
Richardson’s most vital involvement last season came away from the pitch.
He was credited with helping save the life of striker Charlie Wyke in November after he had a cardiac arrest in training – beginning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) process before club doctor Jonathan Tobin took over.
The Latics said in a statement that the former Accrington boss would “always be held in high regard by fans”. – Sports Reporter/BBC Sport
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter