Backroom staff departure adds to Wigan Athletic summer rebuild
Wigan Athletic are on the hunt for a new goalkeeping coach following the departure of Tony Warner.
The 52-year-old was only appointed to the role in June last year during a coaching restructure under then-manager Ryan Lowe.
He remained with Latics when Lowe was sacked three months ago, when Nicky Adams and Glenn Whelan also left the club.
However, it’s understood Warner has parted company with Latics since the end of the season – and the search for his successor is already under way.
When Gary Caldwell returned in February, he brought with him assistant David Perkins and chief analyst Lauren Jones from Exeter City, as well as restoring Latics legend Peter Atherton to the backroom staff as first-team coach.
Now a new mentor for Sam Tickle has been added to the 'to-do’ list, which was already very lengthy following the release of the retained list.
Eight players – Jason Kerr, Will Aimson, Steven Sessegnon, Tyrese Francois, Luke Robinson and Jack Hunt leaving, along with back-up goalkeepers Toby Savin and Matty Corran – have left at the end of their contracts, while loan contingent Owen Moxon (Stockport County), Ryan Trevitt (Brentford), Caylan Vickers (Brighton & Hove Albion), Raphael Borges Rodrigues (Coventry City), Callum Wright (Plymouth Argyle) and Joe Taylor (Huddersfield Town) returned to their parent clubs.
A further nine players – Matt Smith, Jensen Weir, Callum McManaman, Harrison Bettoni, Llyton Chapman, Leo Graham, Chris Sze, Adam Moseley and Joe Adams - are out of contract and are mulling over new deals.
And another five – Joseph Hungbo, Baba Adeeko, Jonny Smith, Ronan Darcy, Maleace Asamoah Jnr - could also be set for pastures new after being made available for transfer.
"It’s going to be a busy summer,” said Caldwell. “But the most important thing is we do our due diligence to make sure we’re bringing in the right people as well as the right players to the football club.
"This is a great football club with a great history and a unique story. In recent years, we’ve had some real difficulties, but we’ve always overcome challenges, and I believe this is a time when we should be looking forward with real Wigan Athletic people at the helm.”