WIGAN have appointed former player Shaun Maloney as the new manager of the team.

The Scot has replaced ex-Liverpool defender Kolo Toure at the helm after he was sacked after just nine games in charge.

Maloney will be tasked with keeping the Latics in the Championship.

The club are currently bottom of the division with and are four points from safety.

Maloney has admitted that he faces a challenge but is optimistic of leading the team to safety.

He told the club media: “I’m very proud to be back. I have amazing memories here and created some fabulous moments with teams and with fans, and I’m excited to get started.

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“The feeling that I have from those times as a player is a big factor for me. I have been here previously and have always felt a great warmth from the supporters.

“I want the fans to see a team that is giving absolutely everything, fighting to get better and the supporters need to feel that. The connection is there, we just need to reawaken it. 

“We needed that support 10/11 years ago, and they were incredible for the team that I played in, and we’re going to need that again. 

“It’s a really big challenge but I believe that we can turn this around. A massive amount of work needs to be done, but I can’t wait to get started.”

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Maloney enjoyed a four-year spell at the DW Stadium in his playing days, in which he made 91 appearances, scoring 15 goals.

He was also a part of the side that helped the club to victory in the FA Cup final against Manchester City in 2013.

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