Wigan Athletic chairman David Sharpe has revealed that his predecessor Dave Whelan was in the dark over the decision to sack manager Malky Mackay.

The Scotsman, who was appointed by Whelan four months before the ex-chairman stepped down from his role, was dismissed on Monday.

Sharpe, 23, who took over from his grandfather Whelan, has insisted that he has the backing of the 78-year-old, who is not currently in the country.

"My grandad is over in Barbados, he didn't know what I was doing," Sharpe told reporters in this morning's press conference. "I spoke to him afterwards and he was fully behind me though."

Gary Caldwell, who spent five years playing for the Latics, has been appointed as Mackay's replacement.