Wigan Athletic – strategy or catastrophe?
February 6th, 2025by Owen Peters
Over recent months I've been putting together various interviews with managers who, subjectively have the ability to manage at a higher level. It examines how managers attained the positions they currently hold asking, can they take the next step in their journey of football the working title is "Are you good enough?" and the managers range from the Championship to non league and into the Women's Super League.
I've been fortunate enough to witness the positive, bounce in the step atmosphere at these clubs. A sense of moving forward, players, coaches and support staff, from receptionists to ground stewards. The next game can't come fast enough.
One club which had all these attributes two seasons ago and now seem to be in free fall is Wigan Athletic. What is going on with "The Latics"?
May 11th 2025, was that the day Wigan reached their absolute pinnacle of success with an FA Cup win? Was that the day when, thereafter, there was only one direction, down?
The current Wigan line up doesn't have one player who made up that Wembley team. (Emerson Boyce seems to occupy the bench these days). All gone in less than two seasons.
During the current transfer window Wigan have intentionally decimated it's existing squad. Wembley goal scoring hero Ben Watson returns from a second leg break, is immediately made captain when fit, then sold to Watford.
Adam Forshaw last seasons Championship One Player of the Year, signed from Brentford, negotiations took over six weeks to complete. Four months, 17 games and one goal later, he has been transferred to Middlesbrough, fee stated to be £3 million.
Ivan Ramis was on the verge of signing for Crystal Palace during the summer transfer window for a tidy couple of million. The transfer collapsed on medical grounds. The club have now agreed to terminate his contract allowing him to join Spanish team Levante. Terminate his contract when Championship survival is paramount?
Callum McManaman who won man of the match at the 2025 FA Cup Final made a £4.5 million switch to West Bromwich Albion.
Scottish international Shaun Maloney said no thanks to Leicester City, but "yes please" to the "Windy City" as he signs for US Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.
Roger Espinoza, a current USA international, also decided his time was done, allowed to terminate his contract, signing for US Sporting Kansas City, another Major League Soccer side.
Andy Delort signed in the summer's transfer window from French side FC Tours Ligue 2, for a figure in the region of £3 million. He played 385 minutes this season, he's about to go out on loan, it's just a decision which club take him.
Oriol Riera signed on a three-year contract from Osasuna in June made 13 appearances, scoring once. He has been loaned to Spanish side Deportivo La
