Hutchings sacked as Wigan boss

Wigan have elected to sack Chris Hutchings with immediate effect, the Premier League club has announced.

Assistant manager Frank Barlow takes charge on a caretaker basis, starting with Sunday's trip to Tottenham.

In a brief statement on their website, Wigan said a statement from chairman Dave Whelan would follow.

But they did put on record their "immense gratitude" to Hutchings in contributing to the club's "meteoric rise" over the past six seasons.

Hutchings was appointed in May following the resignation of Paul Jewell.

He stepped up from his role as assistant manager under Jewell, who elected to take a break from football.

Hutchings had also succeeded Jewell at Bradford City in 2000, but lasted less than five months after winning one of 12 Premiership games.

This season in the Premier League, Wigan have collected just eight points from 12 matches to be in the relegation zone.

On Saturday they were beaten 2-0 at home by Chelsea.

It was their sixth defeat in succession, with their last league victory coming against Sunderland at the JJB Stadium on 18 August.

Source: BBC Sport