Hutchings Axed As Wigan's Patience Runs Out

Chris Hutchings has been sacked by Wigan Athletic, paying the price for leading the club through a run of six successive defeats. A 2-0 loss at home to Chelsea on Saturday proved the final straw for his employers, and the club released a statement this morning confirming his departure.

Assistant manager Frank Barlow will take charge of the first team on a caretaker basis for Sunday's Premier League trip to Tottenham.

"Having been so close to the team and such a big part of the success, I felt Chris deserved to be given the chance to take over as No1 last summer and receive full backing from myself and the board to shape the team as he wished," said the Wigan chairman Dave Whelan. "However, it is crucial for the development of Wigan Athletic that we maintain our Premier League status this season and following results and performances in recent matches, we feel it is critical to act now."

Whelan's words contrast with those he used when Hutchings was first appointed in May. "I feel Chris is the right person to progress this club into the next era," he said at the time. "I know Chris Hutchings and I know how good he is. I've every confidence he'll push us forwards. I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome him as manager and give him my assurance that he will have my full and total support."

Hutchings' fortunes at the JJB Stadium have mirrored almost exactly those that surrounded his only previous job in management, at Bradford City in 2000. Like then, he was promoted from assistant manager after the departure of Paul Jewell. He oversaw precisely 12 league games at each club, Bradford sacking him exactly seven years ago tomorrow.

He has done slightly better at Wigan, winning eight points compared to the seven he secured for Bradford. His period in charge of Wigan was slightly longer, lasting 175 days compared with the 137 days he spent in charge at Valley Parade.