Controversial owner hands power to 23-year-old grandson.
Wigan Athletic have announced that chairman Dave Whelan has stepped down from his position and will hand power to his 23-year-old grandson, David Sharpe.
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Whelan has been in charge of the club for 20 years, and has overseen the club’s rise to the Premier League in 2005 and their FA Cup win in 2013.
However, he has recently come under scrutiny for defending current boss Malky Mackay for his part in the racist text message scandal uncovered while he was at Cardiff.
Whelan will now remain as the majority shareholder, but will leave the day-to-day running of the club to 23-year-old grandson David Sharpe.
In a full statement on the club’s official website, Whelan said:
“The time has now come to hand over the reins. I am approaching 80 years old and spend an increasingly long time abroad, and cannot make it to games. It is a decision I have been mulling over for some years and I believe David is now ready.
“Contrary to some suggestions, there are no plans to sell the club, which will remain in family hands and I have every confidence that David, along with Chief Executive Jonathan Jackson, will lead us forwards with wisdom.
“In making this announcement, I would like to say huge thank you to the Board of Directors, all the staff at the club, and of course the wonderful supporters of Wigan Athletic, who have helped make the journey over the past 20 years such an exciting and memorable one.”
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