We Told Yer ... Stick By Titus ... You Get The Sack!

Last updated : 05 November 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Wigan have sacked Chris Hutchings following six successive defeats, and we said back in May (when Titus signed for Wigan) that the manager would not be in the hot seat come Christmas!

Mind you, it was hardly rocket science. The bookies had him odds-on to be the first Premiership managerial casualty, so perhaps he shocked us all by lasting so long.

Sir Bobby signed Bramble from Ipswich for £5m and he seemed determined to justify paying the fee, even though the defender was making mistake after mistake and costing us points.

Bobby went - Graeme Souness replaced him. The Jock went as far as to say he would continue to play him because "one day he will be an England international".

Then came Glenn Roeder, who put his job on the line by sticking with him. And we all know what happened there.


Assistant manager Frank Barlow will take charge at Wigan on a caretaker basis for the Premier League trip to Tottenham on Sunday, and we wonder if Titus will play.

The Latics dropped into the relegation zone at the weekend, following their home defeat against Chelsea.

David Whelan: "This has been a very difficult decision for me and the board to make - but I felt we had to act in the best interests of the football club and its long-term future.

"Having been so close to the team and such a big part of the success, I felt Chris deserved to be given the chance to take over as number one last summer and receive full backing from myself and the board to shape the team as he wished.

"Chris has worked very hard since becoming manager, and I cannot fault his effort and commitment to the cause. However, it is crucial for the development of Wigan Athletic that we maintain our Premier League status this season - and following results and performances in recent matches, we feel it is critical to act now.

"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.

"This search will be exhaustive, and I will not be commenting on any names or speculation until I have found the man I want."