Shaun Maloney: Wigan Athletic sack manager after Reading defeat

Maloney will always have a special place in Wigan folklore for his part as a player in a famous escape from Premier League relegation in 2012 and, even more memorably, the year after, as the Latics won the FA Cup.

In fact, it was his corner which was headed in by Ben Watson as Wigan beat Manchester City at Wembley.

So it was a sentimental return to the club for the ex-Belgium assistant manager when he arrived in January 2023.

But with the club bottom of the Championship, he could not perform his own great escape act.

However, in a very troubled period for the Latics in which players and staff were not paid on time and the team was deducted three points for that offence, Maloney received credit for how he handled the situation.