Wigan Athletic have this morning confirmed that Owen Coyle’s tenure as manager of the club has come to an end, issuing the following statement.

Owen Coyle departs the clubWigan Athletic have announced that following a meeting with Chairman Dave Whelan, Owen Coyle has left his post as club manager by mutual agreement.

Both Dave Whelan and Owen Coyle have agreed that this is the right course of action in the best interests of both parties.

Owen Coyle said: “It is with great sadness that we have made this decision and I would like to thank all my football staff and the staff at the club, who have been very supportive of me in my time here. I am confident that with this set of players, the team can keep moving in the right direction.”

First team coach and former manager Graham Barrow and Assistant Manager Sandy Stewart will take charge of the team for the visit to Leeds United on Wednesday night

No further comment will be issued at this stage.

The club wishes to place on record its thanks to Owen Coyle and to wish him the best in the future.

Former Crystal Palace and Blackpool manager Ian Hollloway has emerged as the bookies favourite to succeed Coyle with Mike Phelan and former Latics gaffer Paul Jewell also hotly tipped for the position.