ayern Munich, QPR development shows strength of Wigan Athletic recruitment: View
Wigan Athletic can look ahead to the 2024/25 League One campaign with a sense of optimism following a turbulent few years at the Brick Community Stadium, but perhaps 12 months ago the same could not be said.
Although local billionaire Mike Danson saved the Latics from a winding-up petition in June 2023 by purchasing the club, the Greater Manchester side still knew they would begin their 2023/24 season with an eight-point deduction imposed upon Shaun Maloney’s men due to the financial mismanagement of former owner Abdul Rahman Al Jasmi and then chairman Talal Al Hammad.
In addition to the deduction, the ‘Tics were also hit with a transfer embargo, meaning that last campaign Maloney found himself wholly reliant upon free agent signings, loan deals, academy graduates and players signed by previous managers.
But despite such handicaps, Wigan were able to secure a top-half finish in May, following a season in which the club experienced a rebuild, courtesy of a successful recruitment model.
Matt Smith, signed on a free transfer following his release from Arsenal last summer, has been a class act at the Brick Community Stadium and plays a key role in Maloney’s possession-based philosophy.
Meanwhile, England youth international Martial Godo, who spent last season on loan with the League One side from Premier League Fulham, was electric at times and the Latics faithful will miss watching the skillful wideman in action unless he makes a somewhat surprising return to WN5.
