League One strugglers Wigan Athletic parted company with manager Ryan Lowe yesterday after a heavy 6-1 defeat to Peterborough United, which saw the Latics fall to 22nd in the table and remain without a league win in 2026.
Ryan Lowe was appointed as Wigan Athletic manager just under a year ago after the departure of Shaun Maloney and guided the Latics to a 15th-place finish and an eight-game unbeaten run to cap off the season.
However, the former Preston North End boss has been unable to improve his side’s performances since then and departs the Brick Community Stadium with only seven wins in 29 games this season and a league points per game of just 1.07.
Wigan’s next appointment will be vital to their chances of staying in League One, as with 17 games remaining, the Latics are only two points from safety and at high risk of dropping into the bottom four.
Club Statement | Ryan Lowe#wafc
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) February 7, 2026
Darren Ferguson
Darren Ferguson is a vastly experienced manager in the third tier with over 450 games managed at the level, and with Wigan sitting precariously in the table, a manager with a history of top-end League One finishes would be a smart move for the Latics to consider.
Another reason why this may be a good fit is due to Ferguson’s record of developing younger players during his time at Peterborough United, which may appeal to the Wigan hierarchy, as in recent years, Wigan have followed a similar model in player sales with the departures of academy players Thelo Aasgaard to Luton Town and Charlie Hughes to Hull City.
While this season was a far cry of his best work, and ultimately led to his sacking at London Road, Ferguson has proved to be a very capable manager and someone who can challenge at the top of the third tier.
Noel Hunt
Another manager that the Latics should consider is Noel Hunt, who is no stranger to League One after his recent spell at Reading, which came to an end in October.
He took over the Royals after Ruben Selles departed the Select Car Leasing Stadium for Hull City, with Reading in sixth place with 30 points. Noel Hunt won 21 of his 46 games in all competitions, but fell achingly short of a play-off place by three points.
However, this season, Noel Hunt won seven of his first 20 games in all competition and was dismissed with his side in 19th place and soon replaced by Leam Richardson.
Despite a poor start to this season at Reading, Hunt showed that he is more than capable of managing at this level, given how his stint in Berkshire began.
Leighton Baines
One riskier option for Wigan Athletic, if they choose to give a manager their first shot at management, is former academy graduate Leighton Baines, who took brief interim charge of Everton at the start of 2025.
Baines is currently one of David Moyes’ assistant managers at the Toffees, and despite a lack of senior management on his coaching record, he has over 400 Premier League appearances with 35 of them coming for the Lancashire side, meaning that this could be a popular appointment for fans as they look to get behind their team in a push to avoid relegation.
Darren Moore
Despite Darren Moore’s recent struggles at Port Vale, he is still someone who could be considered by the Wigan Athletic hierarchy due to his experience in the Championship and League One.
He was the mastermind behind Sheffield Wednesday‘s promotion from the third tier through the playoffs, which may be enticing for a team with ambitions to get back towards their Premier League heyday.
Although some fans may be put off due to his Valiants spell, this would be a safe option for Wigan, as if he were unable to keep the Latics in the division, he has a recent history of guiding a team straight back up from League Two, as he did in Burslem last season.
Lee Bell
The final name on this list is one currently working with League Two side Crewe Alexandra in the form of Lee Bell, who has earned plaudits for consistently getting the Railwaymen into contention for promotion, including a playoff-final appearance back in 2023.
He would be a good option due to his record with developing players through the club’s youth academy, as this is similar to the way Wigan Athletic have tried to operate in recent years. Whilst this may be a good long-term appointment, this may mean sacrificing short-term results with could be too risky for a team who are currently sat in 22nd place in League One.
