"Outside chance" - Emile Heskey gives Shaun Maloney, Wigan Athletic verdict | OneFootball

The former Latics striker believes the current boss needs to be given credit for the work he has done at the club

Emile Heskey has heaped praise on the work that Wigan Athletic boss Shaun Maloney has done at the club amid financial restraints.

The former Latics frontman believes the Athletic manager’s knowledge of the club from his playing days has helped since he has made the move to the dugout at the DW Stadium, with a strong season expected in 24/25.

The 2013 FA Cup winners were dealt with an eight-point deduction to start the most-recent campaign after relegation from the Championship, but stayed up with ease, finishing in 12th-spot after a stellar season in the third tier.

With an impressive cohort of academy graduates at his disposal, former Celtic man Maloney has thrived during his time in charge of the club he played 91 times for as a player, with Heskey impressed at what he has seen from the 41-year-old.

Emile Heskey praises Shaun Maloney Wigan Athletic role, 24/25 prediction

Maloney was appointed as Wigan boss in January 2023, as the Latics tried in vain to maintain their place in the Championship following a succession of financial irregularities at the club.

A three-point deduction during their time in the second tier helped to seal their fate in dropping back into League One, with Maloney picking up just 20 points from his 18 matches in charge, with his hands very firmly tied behind his back.

With the points-deductions continuing after their drop into the third tier, Maloney once again had to rally the troops last summer, with the squad already playing catchup following their eight-point loss.

That deduction was already wiped out within four league games though, with three victories and a draw seeing the season start in the perfect manner, leaving the Latics to kick on throughout the course of the campaign.

That work hasn’t gone unnoticed by former England international Heskey, who believes the the Latics boss is starting something special at the DW Stadium, despite the hurdles he has often had to come across during his 18-month spell in charge.

Speaking to FLW via 888Sport, Heskey said: “Shaun has done an exceptional job at Wigan. He has stabilised the club and having played for them, he knows how much it means to local people in Wigan.

“Looking at next season it can still be a tough one for the club, an outside chance of promotion is possible, but the club must stabilise itself and then look to have good young players at its core to then be able to compete and look to get promoted.”

Wigan Athletic academy prospects can lead the way under Shaun Maloney’s guidance

As Heskey alluded to, the core of young players at Wigan is something that the club and town are mightily proud of, with the latest graduates propping up the side at many times last season.

The reliability of Sam Tickle in goal has been a revelation over the past 12 months, with the England youth International becoming one of the most highly-coveted stars in the Football League with his domineering displays between the sticks.

With 14 clean sheets to his name last season, the 22-year-old continues to impress with the gloves, and after tying his future down to the club until the summer of 2028 earlier this year, the Latics have a talent on their hands for the foreseeable future.

Charlie Hughes [pictured] is another young star that Maloney is giving plenty of game time to, with the former Liverpool youngster thriving as a result in his role in the centre of defence.

The ball-playing defender also extended his deal until 2028 last summer, amid reported interest from Ipswich Town and West Ham United, such are the standards of his performances in the third tier.

Baba Adeeko, Thelo Aasgaard and Chris Sze are just three more names that have made an impact for the Tics in recent times, with the local talent emphasising the link between the club and its fanbase as times have got tough off the field.

Maloney has been key to bridging that gap during his time in charge at the former Premier League side of late, and if he can keep the nucleus of a side together this summer, there is no reason why they can’t challenge near the top of the division over the next 12 months.