Coyle leaves Wigan with Holloway favourite to take over as Scot becomes third manager to get the axe in just one day



Ian Holloway is the early frontrunner to take over at Wigan in the wake of Owen Coyle's shock departure from the DW Stadium.



The Latics lost on Sunday for the third time in a week and Coyle met owner Dave Whelan afterwards for crisis talks where it was decided to end the Scot's brief reign.



Despite possessing one of the Championship's strongest squads, they are 14th with 22 points from 16 games.

Mutual consent: Owen Coyle is no longer the Wigan manager after a disappointing start to the season

Firm favourite: Holloway is in the frame to take over

Owen Coyle said: 'It is with great sadness that we have made this decision and I would like to thank all my football staff and the staff at the club, who have been very supportive of me in my time here.

'I am confident that with this set of players, the team can keep moving in the right direction.'

And Sportsmail understands the former Crystal Palace and Blackpool boss has expressed an interest in a return to management and is being considered by the Wigan owner.



Despite leading Palace to promotion, Holloway quit his Selhurst Park post in October after a difficult start to the season left him fearing he may not be able to keep them in the Barclays Premier League.



But he feels ready for a fresh challenge and is hoping for the chance to revive a Wigan promotion push that has stalled in recent weeks.



A 3-1 home defeat by Derby on Sunday, greeted by boos from home fans, proved Coyle’s undoing, as Whelan ended his brief reign within hours of the final whistle.



Losing feeling: Wigan lost 3-1 at home to Derby at the weekend - their third defeat in a week