Former Hibs boss Shaun Maloney is facing a nightmare scenario at Wigan – with the English Championship clubs facing a points deduction less than two months since he stepped into the hotseat.
The 40-year-old earned a glowing coaching reputation during his time as Roberto Martinez's assistant at the Belgium national team, but opted to step away from the national set up ahead of the World Cup in Qatar to go it alone at Hibs. His ill-fated spell was brought to a during an end after just four months but the former Celtic and Latics star was granted a chance to recover from the horror 19-game spell in Leith by former club Wigan.
He took over the reins from Kolo Toure but has only managed one win since taking over at the cash-strapped side – who are rooted to the bottom of the table. While struggling for results on the park, the club are facing a tough situation off after confirming last week they would have to delay their wage payments to players and staff due to “liquidity issues” for the fourth time in just nine months.
The situation leaves the club facing a six points deduction which almost certainly send the club into the English third tier. Following the 1-1 draw with Watford the former Scotland international admitted he had been given assurances over the financial state of the club when he made the dream return as boss.
He replied when asked if he was told that the late payment situation would arise again: “No, it was the opposite. I obviously knew that they’d been late previously. So no. I was told the reasons why previously and I was told there’s certain measures that were in place to make sure that wouldn’t happen again.”
He also demanded answers from the English Football League and the Wigan higher-ups. Maloney went on: “I’m expecting to get some clarity really. I think it’s a necessity that we get clarity on where the club’s at in the short term. I think we need clarity on what’s happened and why.
"And then we also have to have exactly the same for the long term vision of the club. But the priority has to be the answers of the players need to be paid and we need the clarity around that.
“I’m not disappointed I don’t have the clarity, I’m just disappointed or disheartened for the players. I think they’re the ones that are obviously suffering the most. So my feelings are for them really.”
READ NEXT
