Sporting Director Rioch leaves Wigan after a decade
Written by
Simon Austin
June 15, 2026
Sporting Director Gregor Rioch is leaving Wigan Athletic after more than a decade of service.
Rioch’s departure follows three years as Sporting Director, during which time he played a pivotal role in the formation of the club’s women’s team, as well as the continued success of the club’s Academy.
His time with the Latics began when he joined from Coventry City to become Academy Manager in December 2013.
The club have also made other changes to their recruitment and coaching teams.
In a farewell message to supporters, Rioch wrote: “After more than 12 proud and memorable years, the time has come for me to say goodbye to Wigan Athletic. Over the last 12 years, I have been fortunate enough to experience every emotion football can offer.
“Together, we have navigated some of the most challenging periods in the Club’s recent history, from the uncertainty of COVID and administration to ownership changes and rebuilding for the future.
“One of my proudest achievements is what we collectively built within the Academy. We never had the facilities of some of the biggest clubs in the country, and we never pretended otherwise, but we always believed our greatest strength was not the facilities themselves, but the people inside them.
“While my role at the Club is coming to an end, my connection to Wigan Athletic never will. I leave as an employee, but I remain a supporter. Wigan Athletic will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to follow its journey with pride from the stands.”
The club paid tribute to Rioch’s impact across both Academy and first team and that “the legacy he leaves behind will benefit the club for many years to come.”
Wigan added that a full football department structure would be confirmed in due course.
A decade of service
Rioch was promoted to Sporting Director in 2022 and oversaw Jake Campbell’s transition to Academy Manager and, more recently, Hayley Turner’s appointment as Head of Women’s Operations.
He also played an instrumental role in the transition from Bahrain ownership to the Danson family’s acquisition of the club, contributing heavily to the stabilisation of football operations.
His tenure spanned some of the most challenging periods in the club’s recent history. During the administration season, he supported Leam Richardson and a young squad – containing several Academy graduates – in securing what supporters remember as the ‘Great Escape’ in League One.
Last season was a testing and disappointing one, with Wigan finishing 16th in League One, with Ryan Lowe dismissed in February after 49 games in charge. Gary Caldwell joined from Exeter City. as his successor and Rioch described this as “a landmark moment” for the Latics.
An Academy punching above its weight
The throughline of Rioch’s work was an Academy producing beyond its resources. Speaking to TGG last season, after Wigan were the biggest risers in TGG’s Academy Productivity Rankings for 2024/25 – climbing 11 places from 49th to 38th – he reflected on a Category Two operation that had had at least one graduate starting in every first-team game since early 2020.
“We’ve had the most minutes offered to Academy graduates across all four divisions over the last two seasons and we’re way ahead of anybody else on that stat,” Rioch told TGG.
“Last season, 39% of available minutes were taken up by Academy graduates and 42% the year before. So it’s a really consistent level of giving opportunity to young players, players who’ve come through our Academy.”
That pathway was also a financial lifeline for a club that endured administration and a transfer embargo, with Charlie Hughes sold to Hull and Thelo Aasgaard to Luton midway through 2024/25.
“When you think about last year as well, it’s quite an incredible stat really considering we sold two of our finest in Charlie Hughes to Hull and, halfway through the season, Thelo Aasgaard,” Rioch said. “So I don’t know what those minutes would have been had they not been sold. It’s been a real plus for the football club and one that, through adversity over our recent history, has brought about opportunity.”
“Any debut, any appearance is something to be shouted about because it’s so difficult to do. But we’ve just been really fortunate that we’ve had a method and we’ve managed to do it quite regularly.”
Caldwell brings in more former colleagues
Meanwhile, Head Coach Gary Caldwell has brought in two more of his former staff from Exeter.
Kevin Miller replaces Tony Warner as Goalkeeping Coach, while Mike McBride is the club’s new physiotherapist. They join First Team Coach David Perkins and Lead Analyst Lauren Jones, who moved from Devon with Caldwell to join the Latics in February.
Graham Barrow becomes a Senior Advisor, having been serving as a Club Ambassador, to support Caldwell and other staff members in several areas, including recruitment, training and day-to-day activities.
Joe Riley is promoted from from Chief Scout to Head of Recruitment.
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