Leicester City suffer behind the scenes blow ahead of Newcastle United clash

Leicester City have confirmed the departure of first-team coach Kolo Toure after he was announced as Wigan Athletic’s new manager.

The former Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool defender retired at Celtic in 2017 before joining Brendan Rodgers’ backroom team at Parkhead.

Rodgers brought Toure with him to Leicester but after three years has left to take up his first managerial role at the Championship club, who are 22nd in the league table.

Wigan chief Executive Malachy Brannigan said: “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.

“We received a high calibre of applicants for the manager’s job in recent weeks, in a very thorough recruitment process as we looked to appoint the right person for the role.

“From the earliest of conversations we had with Kolo, it was evident to us that he had instantly bought into the values of the Club - with his enthusiasm, knowledge and immense desire to work and be part of Wigan Athletic shining throughout the process.

“There is no doubt that this appointment is an exciting one for the Football Club. Kolo is a manager who wants to play a positive brand of football and will strive every day to make the Club stronger.

“The work starts immediately with the first team squad, as the season is just a couple of weeks away from restarting.

“As a Board of Directors, we look forward to working closely with Kolo and his team as the work begins collectively to establish Wigan Athletic as a Championship Club.

“I am sure that all Latics supporters will get behind the appointment of Kolo Touré, give their backing to the staff and the players, as the Football Club begins a new, exciting era - starting at Millwall on December 10th.”

The Foxes have less than a month before the Boxing Day clash against Newcastle United - the first Premier League game after the Qatar World Cup - to find a replacement for the 41-year-old.