Wigan sporting director backs Lowe amid poor form

Wigan Athletic sporting director Gregor Rioch has backed head coach Ryan Lowe despite them hovering above the League One relegation places.

The 47-year-old was appointed in March 2025 on a three-and-a-half-year contract as replacement for Shaun Maloney.

The former Preston, Plymouth and Bury boss has won just 12 out of his 47 games in charge and Wigan are 19th in the table.

Asked by BBC Radio Manchester whether Lowe retains the backing of the club, Rioch said: "Absolutely, 100%. He's got the full backing of everybody.

"From a league perspective we are underperforming, we're all aware of that. Everybody is aware that we should and could be further up the table.

"I would suggest that without making excuses, that we could have six or seven more points on the board comfortably. Some major decisions have gone against us this season which has been highlighted.

"We're not hiding behind that at all. We don't feel that it's an excuse that we want to dwell on."

The Latics are in the midst of a poor run of form, having won just once in their past nine league games, slipping from 11th in the table when they beat Burton on 2 December to their current position and one point above the drop zone.

Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Wycombe came off the back of a comeback 3-3 draw at fellow strugglers Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

Prior to that result, Lowe had said that the mood amongst his camp had not soured despite their position in the table and a chastening loss to local rivals Bolton Wanderers at home the previous weekend.

Asked in a follow-up question whether a contingency plan was in place if the club dropped into League Two next season, he continued: "We won't get relegated. Simple as that."