Kolo Toure should be announced as Wigan Athletic's new head coach very soon but a complete change in backroom staff at the Championship club is not expected, according to journalist Alan Nixon

The Latics surprised many by sacking Leam Richardson earlier this month and despite a host of familiar names being linked with the job, Toure has emerged from leftfield as the frontrunner.

Initially, there were suggestions that the former Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City defender, who is now a coach at Leicester City, would be confirmed as the Wigan boss last weekend but an announcement has not yet been made.

Nixon has now reported, however, that the Latics are set to make one very soon.

Additionally, he has revealed that Toure's arrival is not expected to mean a complete change in staff at Wigan.

The 41-year-old has coached under Brendan Rodgers at both Celtic and Leicester, as well as taking up a role with the Ivory Coast FA, but this would be his first job in permanent management.

He faces a tough test at the DW Stadium as the North West side have slipped into the bottom three in their first season back in the Championship.

The Verdict

We expected to see Toure confirmed as Wigan boss last weekend but it appears an announcement should come soon.

That's good news for the Latics as it will allow him time in the World Cup break to get to work while it's also positive that there isn't expected to be wholesale changes to the coaching staff given the former defender's lack of management experience.

It's a gamble going for someone so fresh-faced given the situation the Latics find themselves in and his first few weeks in the job are set to be testing.

Though Wigan won their final game before the break, Richardson was sacked on the back of a 10-game run that included eight losses and a draw.

Turning around that sort of form will not be easy, particularly as his first four games come against teams with top six aspirations in Millwall, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, and Sunderland.