FORMER Saints star James Beattie has left his role at Championship Wigan Athletic, following their appointment of Kolo Toure.

Beattie had served as an assistant to former boss Leam Richardson with the Latics.

But having joined the club in June 2021, Wigan confirmed Beattie had departed his position while fellow assistant Rob Kelly remained at the club.

A statement from the club said: “Wigan Athletic can confirm that James Beattie has left the football club with immediate effect, with the board thanking James for being instrumental in the club’s promotion last season.”

Toure has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the Latics after leaving his coaching role at Leicester.

He takes over at the DW Stadium with the club 22nd in the table, having won just six of their 21 games.

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.”