OFFICIAL: Kolo Toure Confirmed As New Manager Of Wigan Athletic.

Wigan Athletic have confirmed appointment of Kolo Toure their new manager on a three and a half-year deal.

The former Ivory Coast legend joins from Leicester City, where he was operating as First Team Coach as part of Brendan Rodgers coaching staff since February 2019.

He becomes the first African international to manage in senior English football following his appointment as head coach of the Latics

Kevin Betsy and Ashvir Johal will form his backroom staff along with Rob Kelly who has agreed to continue in his role as Assistant Manager. He will join up with the squad in Turkey on a mid-season training camp.

"All three will now fly out to Turkey to meet up with the First Team, who are currently on a mid-season training camp as Kolo, the second highest capped player in Ivory Coast history, will look to hit the ground running and implement his philosophy and ideas onto the first team environment." Reads a club statement.

Starting his career at Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas in 1999, the former central defender had an illustrious playing career with Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Celtic FC all on his footballing resume, as well as 120 caps for his country Ivory Coast.

Touré made more than 500 senior appearances over a 15-year period, with an honours list that includes two Premier League titles - one as an Arsenal ‘Invincible’, two FA Cups, two Scottish Premiership titles, as well as success on the international stage with an African Cup of Nations back in 2015.

Having played under and learnt from elite managers throughout his career from the likes of Arsène Wenger, Roberto Mancini, Jürgen Klopp and Brendan Rodgers - as well as years of top flight, European and International coaching experience – Touré will now focus on his own managerial career at First Team level.

The 41-year-old, has completed his Uefa Pro Licence and he is set to succeed former Wigan's manager Leam Richardson was sacked on 10 November after a run of one point from seven matches and the Latics are currently 22nd in the Championship.

"We are delighted that Kolo has become the new manager of Wigan Athletic Football Club, and the board are pleased that he is the man to take us forward," said Chief Executive Malachy Brannigan after the appointment.

Toure's first game is a visit to Milwall on December 10, before his first home game against Sheffield United on Monday, Dec 19.

Toure's younger brother, Yaya, had already ruled himself out of contention for the post, as the 39-year-old African football great is reportedly set to be set to be named Tottenham Hotspur youth team coach ahead of the 2022/23 season having acquired his coaching badges.