Wigan Athletic takeover: Spanish bidders on plans for manager, new contracts and January window...

The Spanish group bidding to take control at Wigan Athletic say they've already offered John Sheridan the manager's job until the end of the season.
Jose Miguel Garrido CristoJose Miguel Garrido Cristo
Jose Miguel Garrido Cristo

All eyes on Thursday will be on the EFL, who will hold a second meeting with the Spaniards to decide whether to rubber-stamp the takeover.

Part of the paperwork submitted on Tuesday was a letter of recommendation from La Liga, with the two unnamed investors having owned clubs in the Spanish top flight over the past decade.

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The group will have to prove they have an acceptable financial plan – especially with the Supporters Club saying they are unable to commit their £870,000 at the moment.

But speaking exclusively to Wigan Today, Jose Miguel Garrido Cristo - acting as representative for two Spanish investors - says they've already started making plans for the future.

And top priority has been securing the future of Sheridan - who has been working on a rolling monthly contract during administration.

“Of course it is not ideal when your manager only has a monthly contract," said Garrido. "And we’ve already offered the manager a contract until the end of the season.

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"So he knows that the minute we go in, he will have a contract until next summer.

"That is our commitment to John, and I think he has shown he is really committed to us.

"He sees this as a really good opportunity, and that’s what we want – people who want to be here.

"For us, he is the man. We wouldn’t go in and try something else. We’ve already spoken to him, and that is a big step forward.”

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Garrrido says plans have already been made regarding the January transfer window.

“From our point of view, with three or four additional players in the winter market, we could look at getting out of League One this year," he insisted.

"This is the manager’s opinion, and we can’t wait to get in and give him what he needs.

"But we need to act fast, we can’t waste time. There is money there, and we know we need reinforcements in the squad in the winter market.

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"We’ve got the contacts, and we are already talking to people in order to bring in three or four players that can help the squad we have here.

"That will happen as soon as we go in, as soon as we are able to.

“We only have three players here who are under contract for next season.

"When we go in, every player will get an extended contract from the minute we go in.

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"Especially the ones from the Academy, because they are doing so well, and they deserve the tranquility of an extended contract.

"These players have already been with us for many years, and they are the future of the club.

"They have been thrown into the arena with the lions, and it wouldn’t be fair at the end of the season to say ‘good luck’ and bring in a lot of new players.

"That’s not going to happen, we’re going to give them a 100 per cent commitment.”

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