Tuesday, 18th June, 2013
Wigan Athletic and their new manager Owen Coyle have been given the green light to recruit the players required to help the club back into the Premier League in 2014.
The 46-year-old takes over from Roberto Martinez on a 12-month rolling contract, less than two weeks after the Spaniard was appointed Everton boss.
The story is similar at the DW stadium to that Coyle experienced with Bolton Wanderers – the task of taking Wigan back to the top flight at the first time of asking, with arguably even bigger tests awaiting in the Europa League.
And Coyle remains hopeful his time at Wigan will get the same sort of treatment that Martinez got from chairman Dave Whelan.
relatedNewsStory
At a press conference to officially unveil him, Coyle said via his club’s feed: "One thing the chairman has done over years is that backed his managers. That’s the most important relationship in a club, and which will drive Wigan forward.
"He’s very forthright in his opinions. We want to be back among the elite clubs but it will not be coming easily. It will need hard work, quality and everyone pulling together.
"We’ll leave no stone unturned. We’ll look to add to the squad, so that we can have an exciting team, that’s pleasing on the eye and that’s looking to win."
Coyle was sacked as Bolton manager in October last year, following a disappointing run of just three wins out of 10 that saw them plummet to 18th in the Championship table, in the season following relegation.
In a season with more than 50 games, club chairman Whelan has promised to back Coyle in the all important transfer window, alongside giving moral support that is seemingly lacking amongst other high-profile clubs.
Whelan said: "Next season is going to be awful, with lots of games. [Coyle] is not going to win everything, and there will be some mistakes down the line, that’s inevitable.
"What I will do is back the boss 110%. It took Alex Ferguson a full season to stamp his authority at Manchester United. When he first went, there was talk of the sack.
"Things don’t happen overnight, they take time. And [Coyle’s] going to get my support. He asked me if we can get more players and the answer was yes."
In the short term Coyle will be expected to find the players to achieve promotion, even as news emerged today that Maynor Figueroa had signed for Hull City on a free transfer.
"In an ideal world, we wouldn’t want to sell any players", Coyle added. "But every player left under contract here is capable of stepping onto first team level.
"They are hugely talented and will be coveted by other clubs. We wouldn’t want to sell, but if there’s interest we will look at the best possible course for the club."
The Latics have the opportunity to add an extra piece of silverware even before the season begins, when they take on Premier League champions Manchester United in the Community Shield on 11th August.
Like betting on football? You simply must check out Inside Bet!
