Former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool defender Kolo Toure, has been appointed as Wigan Athletic head manager, following the sacking on Leam Richardson earlier this month.

The 41-year-old who has been on the coaching staff at Celtic and Leicester since retiring as a player, becomes the the first African international to ever manage in senior English football – having previously worked under the likes of Brendan Rodgers.

Commenting on Kolo’s appointment, Chief Executive Malachy Brannigan said: ‘We are delighted that Kolo has become the new manager of Wigan Athletic Football Club, and the Board are pleased that he is the man to take us forward.

‘We received a high calibre of applicants for the manager’s job in recent weeks, in a very thorough recruitment process as we looked to appoint the right person for the role.

‘From the earliest of conversations we had with Kolo, it was evident to us that he had instantly bought into the values of the Club – with his enthusiasm, knowledge and immense desire to work and be part of Wigan Athletic shining throughout the process.

‘There is no doubt that this appointment is an exciting one for the Football Club. Kolo is a manager who wants to play a positive brand of football and will strive every day to make the Club stronger.

‘The work starts immediately with the first team squad, as the season is just a couple of weeks away from restarting.

‘As a Board of Directors, we look forward to working closely with Kolo and his team as the work begins collectively to establish Wigan Athletic as a Championship Club.

‘I am sure that all Latics supporters will get behind the appointment of Kolo TourĂ©, give their backing to the staff and the players, as the Football Club begins a new, exciting era – starting at Millwall on December 10th.’

Toure will now travel to Turkey to join his new players, where they are undergoing a mid-season training camp before resuming their Championship campaign at Millwall on Saturday December 10.

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