The veteran chief claimed Coyle forced the issue, but MirrorSport can also reveal that coach Graham Barrow was told he would be in charge before the chairman and manager argued.
Whelan said: “I had a meeting after the game and told him I was disappointed with the performance and the team selection. Owen asked if I wanted him to resign and I said yes.”
Now Whelan wants to hire a young coach and find his next Roberto Martinez. He may even consult the former Latics chief about the vacancy. Whoever gets the job should be off to a better start than Coyle. When he arrived in the summer there were not enough players for a five-a-side match.
Coyle walked into a club left devastated not just by relegation from the Premier League but a lack of forward planning. No keepers, one defender, two strikers who were on their way out and seven midfielders – one soon to follow Martinez to Everton and two carrying injuries
Strange one this, how long did they give Martinez!