KOLO TOURE is expected to be named as the next manager of Wigan, according to reports.

The former Liverpool and Manchester City defender is currently a coach with Brendan Rodgers at Leicester City, but he looks set to now take his own steps in management.

A report by The Sun states that Toure is in talks with Wigan chiefs as they look to replace former manager Leam Richardson, who was let go.

The story also reports that Toure's brother Yaya has already turned down the position.

Toure spent time at Celtic both as a player and as a coach under Brendan Rodgers and he is now the bookies' favourite for the Wigan role.

It comes as Steven Gerrard was also in the market, but his odds have now widened.

The ex-Rangers manager is on the hunt for a new job after being axed by Aston Villa earlier this season.

Meanwhile, Giovanni van Bronckhorst believes Rangers’ demoralising Champions League campaign affected them mentally.

The Ibrox side ended up as the worst-performing team in the history of the group stage of Europe’s elite competition, losing all six of their matches against Napoli, Liverpool and Ajax.

Their form in the cinch Premiership also dipped, with just two wins in their last five league games before the World Cup leaving them nine points behind leaders Celtic and placing Van Bronckhorst under pressure.

Asked if the European campaign had proved damaging, the Ibrox boss told Sky Sports: “Of course, it is there for everyone to see. Physically we had to play at a much higher level than we are used to.

“When you play against Napoli, Liverpool and Ajax and you lose games, your mental energy is also affected, which is normal because we are all human beings.

“Whenever you have a setback or a disappointing moment, it will affect your wellbeing. That has been hard.

“It has been harder for us in comparison to what we had last season, and we also had to do it in a shorter period because of the World Cup, so it has been very demanding.”

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