Joyce sacked by Latics

Saturday’s dismal home defeat by Bristol City means Latics are four points adrift of safety with only nine matches remaining.

“It is unfortunate that we have made this decision but, with the team in such a perilous position in the league, we need to act now because we cannot afford to fall any further behind,” said chairman David Sharpe.

“Warren was appointed with the future in mind in terms of developing players, but preserving our Championship status is the absolute priority, and we have a duty to do whatever gives us the best chance of doing that.

“Results and performances have simply not been up to standard often enough in recent matches and, although we acknowledge the difficulties faced in managing a team in a league where we are competing against clubs with much larger budgets, the nature of some of our recent defeats, especially against close rivals, has fallen short in terms of what we as a club, and all our supporters, expect.”

First-team coach Andy Welsh, who was only appointed at the end of January, has also left the club.