Wigan Athletic captain Jason Kerr has expressed his disappointment over Shaun Maloney’s departure, admitting the squad must take some responsibility for the manager’s sacking.
Maloney was dismissed on Sunday following a 2-1 home defeat to Reading, ending his 25-month tenure at the DW Stadium. The decision came as a shock to players and fans alike, with Kerr acknowledging that the team’s performances contributed to the decision.
‘We Let Him Down’
Maloney, who appointed Kerr as club captain last summer, was widely respected in the dressing room, making his sudden departure even more difficult to accept.
“I think we’ve all got our fingerprints on it,” Kerr admitted. “There were definitely times we could have done better, and it does feel like we let him down a little bit.”
“Especially at the end of the game against Reading… it really wasn’t us. We felt like we were going in the right direction, with the fixtures we had and the wins we had.”
Despite the disappointment, Kerr said the squad has had to move on quickly given their upcoming fixtures.
“It’s been really tough for everyone involved. I was shocked, I think everyone was, when we found out on Sunday. But that’s football—these things happen.”
“It’s never easy losing a manager, especially one all the lads loved and respected.”
Thanking Maloney
Kerr revealed that he reached out to Maloney after his departure, expressing his gratitude for the manager’s impact on his career.
“I’ve spoken to him on the phone, he seems pretty positive, and I just wished him all the best,” he said.“He’s been massive for me since he’s been here. I thanked him for playing me again after my injury, and for giving me the captaincy.”
Kerr suffered an ACL injury in November 2022 but credits Maloney for showing faith in him upon his return.
“When he came in, I was still sidelined and he gave me all the reassurances I needed that I would come back stronger.”
Backing Glenn Whelan
Following Maloney’s exit, interim manager Glenn Whelan has stepped in to steady the ship. Despite being new to coaching, Kerr believes Whelan has the squad’s full backing.
“Glenn may be a rookie coach, but he’s spent a lot of time in football and has been around a lot of senior players and clubs,” Kerr said.“I’ve really liked what he’s done since he’s been with us as a coach. All the boys respect him and he knows what he’s talking about.”
Writer’s View
Maloney’s departure marks the end of an era for Wigan, and Kerr’s comments suggest the players are feeling the weight of responsibility. The transition under Whelan presents a new challenge, but with the club in need of stability, the squad must rally quickly. Whether they can turn things around remains to be seen.
