- Maloney’s managerial success amid adversity has Wigan supporters hopeful for future success and a top-six finish.
- Latics fans can anticipate an improved squad with specific player recruitment criteria in place for the upcoming season.
- Despite transfer window excitement, possible departures of key players like Hughes and Tickle may impact the team.
Shaun Maloney, the manager of Wigan Athletic, has managed the Latics admirably despite difficult circumstances since taking over in January 2023.
The Latics were four points outside of safety and bottom of the Championship after a disastrous nine-game losing streak under Kolo Toure, when the League One team hired the former Hibernian manager.
Maloney played a part in the team’s incredible Premier League comeback in 2011–12, and eleven years later, he was left in charge of the team’s Championship status from the dugout.
At the end of the 2022–23 Championship season, Wigan was relegated back to League One due to financial uncertainty overseen by former owner Abdulrahman Al Jasmi. Despite this, supporters did not hold Maloney responsible for the team’s defeat, as the former Scotland international was unable to accomplish this difficult feat.
The club was facing an HMRC winding-up petition in the summer of 2023, which caused a great deal of uncertainty. However, Mike Danson’s takeover saved the club and retained the current manager.
Maloney and company did not, however, have an easy ride in 2023–24. Deductions caused them to begin the season with a -8 record, and an embargo prevented them from signing players for two straight transfer windows, meaning the team had to rely on academy graduates.
However, the former Hibs manager was able to lead his team to an unexpected top-half finish, so the Latics will be hoping for a successful 2024–2025 season and looking forward to the summer transfer window in 2024.
Latics supporters should be excited by Maloney’s promises
Fans are eager to see what Maloney can accomplish when his team is not restricted by a transfer embargo because he has demonstrated that he can lead the Latics in challenging situations.
The 41-year-old recently spoke with Wigan Today about the transfer window and the 2024–25 campaign, saying, “We’ve been working on this window for a while.”
“A lot of labor-intensive work is done quietly and behind the scenes.
“Many plans are in motion, and I have a long list of desired profiles for our team.
“I have very specific requirements for the type of profile that will help us play the way we have been playing these past few games.
“We won’t be at the top in terms of size or budget, and we’ll be young.” However, I’d prefer to place higher in the league and place among the top six.
“I understand that shouldn’t happen based on our budget, but I think we can surpass expectations if we play a specific strategy and hire the right people.
“If we can recruit the right types of players, if I can get it right, if I can improve myself as a manager tactically, then I think something special can happen next season.”
These statements from Maloney will surely excite Latics supporters, who will be hoping that their team can secure a play-off spot in an effort to restore Championship football to the club.
Brick Community Stadium will be excited about the manager’s statement that he is particular about the type of player he is searching for this summer and that offers have already been made for these players.
Maloney mentioned reinstalling the club’s DNA towards the end of the 2023–2024 season, and the summer transfer window presents him with his best chance to date to accomplish this.
It can be assumed that offers for players who fit this style of play have been made by the manager since the former Celtic attacking midfielder, who played for the Latics under Roberto Martinez, has returned to Wigan with a squad full of young players and free agent signings.
Now that Maloney has the freedom to sign players who fit his mould, Latics supporters may witness a season in which their team wins a lot of games and plays a desirable brand of football reminiscent of the team’s heyday. Maloney has also hinted at the possibility of earning a 2024–25 play-off spot.
Latics must navigate Charlie Hughes and Sam Tickle situations
Maloney has hinted that the Latics will be busy with additions during this transfer window, but it also appears that the Greater Manchester team will be losing some players this summer.
The i reported that Charlie Hughes, who has shown promise in defence for Wigan throughout the 2023–24 campaign and has represented England at the youth international level with the Men’s Elite League Squad, is being pursued by Premier League teams West Ham and Brentford as well as Ipswich Town, who will be joining the duo in the top flight next season.
Sam Tickle, the custodian, has been a member of the England Under-21 team this season. According to The Athletic, Everton is interested in the talented player.
Maloney’s recent assurances will excite Latics supporters, but the club’s transfer activity will probably be determined by Hughes and Tickle’s possible departures.
