Joyce warrants '˜long-term commitment' - Sharpe

As expected, Joyce will succeed Gary Caldwell in the Latics hotseat, having penned a three-and-a-half-year deal at the DW Stadium.

The new man will be in charge for Saturday’s home game against Reading, and Sharpe insists Latics have pulled off a real coup in attracting the highly-rated Manchester United Under-21 boss.

“Warren has everything we are looking for,” said the Latics chairman.

“He is an exceptional coach who has a reputation within the game for being among the very best at bringing through young players, as his record at Manchester United shows.

“But more than that, he has a winning mentality which transmits to his players and he has achieved great success in his time at United. It’s the perfect combination.

“Warren has had several high-profile opportunities but wants to move back into management, and it is a measure of how highly we rate him that we are making such a long-term commitment.

“From the moment we met, it was clear that there was a connection.

“He is a highly-professional, focused and ambitious person and we share the same views regarding the long-term vision for the club.

“He comes highly recommended, and I am confident that we are appointing an excellent manager.”