Stephen Crainey, a former defender for Leeds United, resigned from his position as coach at Wigan Athletic to rejoin Ian Evatt at Bolton Wanderers.

In 2022, Crainey became a member of Wigan and assumed the position of head professional phase coach. After that, he volunteered to help Latics manager Shaun Maloney with first-team matters, although he has since left.

After agreeing on a remuneration package, Bolton named Crainey as the team’s joint assistant manager. Crainey is back again with Bolton manager Evatt, with whom he was teammates at Blackpool, thanks to the move.

“We have a clear plan and idea of how we want to improve things on and off the pitch, and this appointment is in addition to what we already have,” Evatt stated following a fairly thorough season evaluation. As far as our staffing structure goes, I believe we’ve checked every box.

Every season, you should consider how you can get better, how we can get better, and what talents you are lacking in your crew. We’ve talked about taking a more comprehensive approach to managing the workforce, and Stephen, who I’ve known for a very long time, has the skill set that I believe we are lacking.

“I think it’s a very important appointment for us,” the person said. “He’s a very good character, a strong character who knows what it takes to win and will be extremely additive to the rest of the staff.”

Crainey is a well-known figure in West Yorkshire, having played for Leeds for 62 games from 2004 to 2007. He also includes Southampton and Celtic among his opponents.

Wigan Athletic has been active in the transfer market thus far this summer in preparation for Shaun Maloney and company’s 2024–25 play-off campaign.

The Latics have secured the permanent signing of Dion Rankine from Chelsea as well as the loan signings of Michael Olakigbe and Calvin Ramsay from Brentford and Liverpool, respectively. This comes after Latics boss Maloney previously stated to Wigan Today that he wanted 90% of the playing squad for the upcoming season with the club by pre-season.

The Latics manager will be eager to complete his transfer business as soon as possible because, thanks to financial mismanagement by the club’s former ownership group, his team was placed under a transfer embargo for the entirety of the previous season, and key players like Charlie Wyke and Tom Pearce left at the conclusion of the campaign.

The Greater Manchester team will be eager to bring in plenty of new players, but this luxury may not always be feasible because current ‘Tics owner Mike Danson has ingrained an ethos at the Brick Community Stadium that puts financial sustainability at the heart of the club’s operations. These two players, however, have the potential to save the Latics six figures should the team decide to promote them to the first team rather than choose to buy alternatives:

Josh Stones

Josh Stones, a young attacker and recent academy graduate, demonstrated his potential last season by helping Wigan to two goals in three EFL Trophy appearances.

Prior to being loaned out to Oldham Athletic in December, the 20-year-old, who possesses a strong physical presence up top, made six appearances in League One, including a start during a 2-0 victory against Exeter City back in October.

He only made four appearances in the fifth division, so sadly for all three of them, his loan move to the National League team was terminated. Despite this setback, he managed to show off his goal-scoring prowess by scoring three goals.

With the loss of Josh Magennis and Wyke, as well as the club’s top scorer from the previous season, Stephen Humphrys, the Latics may be inclined to purchase a new striker; nevertheless, Stones could be the best option to fill the number nine position on the roster.

With the loss of Josh Magennis and Wyke, as well as the club’s top scorer from the previous season, Stephen Humphrys, the Latics may be inclined to purchase a new striker; nevertheless, Stones could be the best option to fill the number nine position on the roster.

Harry McHugh

Harry McHugh is another Latics academy product who the club should look to regularly embed into the first team next campaign in order to save themselves from buying a new player in the transfer market.

The versatile 21-year-old made six appearances for the Greater Manchester outfit in all competitions last season, and scored an EFL Trophy goal.

McHugh joined Scottish Championship side Ayr United in February, where he was a regular feature, making 12 appearances and providing one goal and two assists in the process from central midfield.

For a clash against Derby County on Boxing Day, he was deployed as a left-wing-back for the Latics, which showcases his ability to play in multiple positions, while according to Wigan Today, Maloney has promised the starlet first-team opportunities next season following his recent contract extension.

Charlie Wyke and Callum Lang, two former Wigan Athletic players, responded to Jordan Jones’ Instagram post confirming his departure from the Latics.

The 29-year-old’s deal at the Brick Community Stadium expired this month, and because negotiations to prolong it have come to an end, he is free to sign with another team.

The versatile player from Northern Ireland, who can play as a winger or wing-back, signed with the Latics in the summer of 2021. However, under former manager Leam Richardson, he did not get much playing time, and he was later loaned to Scottish team St Mirren for the second half of the 2021–2022 season while the Greater Manchester team won League One.

After that, Jones would play on loan at Kilmarnock for the entire 2022–2023 season. However, when the star player returned, Latics manager Shaun Maloney showed confidence in Jones. Jones had a successful season the previous year, netting three goals and dishing out six assists in League One, mostly from a wing-back position.

The Latics would have liked to have kept Jones around for a little while longer after he developed a good rapport with Maloney, but after a few difficult years with the team, his departure isn’t shocking either.

After the wideman’s departure, Wyke and Lang, who both played with him in the 2023–2024 and 2021–2022 seasons, exchanged ideas with him.

Even though Jones’ three-year tenure at Latics was limited by loan stints away from Brick Community Stadium, he was obviously well-liked by his teammates, including Wyke, who left the team this summer after his contract expired, and Lang, who joined Portsmouth in January.

Wyke and Lang respond to Jones goodbye message

“It’s with a heavy heart to announce that my time representing Wigan Athletic has come to an end,” the 29-year-old posted on Instagram.

“Contract negotiations are now complete, and although I am sad to be departing, I acknowledge the club’s current circumstances and wish it continued success.

“I want to express my gratitude to the entire staff for helping me rediscover my love for football, especially the first team staff that I worked with last season.

“A huge thank you to all of my teammates from the previous three years as well.

“I hope the best for all of you; I’ve created some lifelong friends and memories.

“The team has several excellent young players who will rise to the top.

“A huge thank you to all of the fans for their support over the past five years, to sum up what I’ve been thinking.

“As I’ve previously stated, I’m happy you witnessed me enjoying my football season last year following a challenging few years, and I have cherished the bond we have developed.

“Thank you and best wishes for the future.

“JJ💙.”

With Portsmouth, Lang, who is looking forward to a great Championship season, said, “All the best Jeremy.”

Meanwhile, Wyke wrote: “There’s been a good-hearted loss there, mush!

“Love ya mate.”