'Joke of a club'

Shaun Maloney was a popular striker at Celtic in his Parkhead heyday, so when he took the dip into management, fans will have been keen to see him do well.

Maloney has enjoyed spells as a coach in the Belgium national squad and manager of Hibs, and up until this morning, the former Celtic striker was the main man at Wigan.

However, in a statement released by the League One club, Maloney was relieved from his duties at the Latics after Wigan put out a statement on the club website.

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Why Wigan have sacked former Celtic striker Shaun Maloney

Maloney was put in charge of Wigan during one of the most turbulent periods in the club’s history. Currently sitting in 15th place in England’s third-tier, Maloney was sacked alongside assistant Max Rogers this morning.

Wigan thanked Maloney but explained that current results, including their home form, were below the club and the fans’ standards, which meant they had to implement a change.

And as Wigan released the statement on social media channel X, it was met with a furious response from many of the English club’s fans.

Wigan fans slam club treatment of ex-Celtic man Shaun Maloney

Sitting six points from the relegation zone with a game in hand and only 13 games left of the season to go, Wigan fans let their club know exactly what they thought of their decision to release Maloney.

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Another Wigan fan hit back, “What do the suits really expect on a shoe string budget? Shaun was a manager who bled blue yet wasn’t backed properly, losing our best players and replacing them with dross. Crazy timing to sack him – bit late for a play off push, so why do it now? Really disappointed in the club.”

One Wigan supporter laid out his feelings perfectly clear and said, “Not happy about this at all. Maloney was one of the only things that kept the attachment between the fans and the club and what we should be all about. Feeling more detached this morning than I have in a long, long time. Painful to see one of our own suffer.”

One fan didn’t hold back:

And Maloney got the back of this fan who said, “Terrible decision! Worked tirelessly with our best players sold every transfer window.

“Not a good start for the leadership team. Thank you for everything Shaun.” and another fan simply said, “Strange decision.”

It seems like at Celtic, Maloney was much loved at Wigan and after all he had done for the club, who can blame them for their anger?

The former Parkhead striker helped the club win a historic FA Cup against Man City after his late corner was nodded home by Ben Watson to deliver the Latics their first major honour in the club’s history.

Everyone at 67 Hail Hail wishes Maloney all the best and a quick return to football as soon as possible.

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