FORMER Burnley assistant manager Sandy Stewart has left Wigan Athletic following the departure of boss Owen Coyle.

Stewart was No.2 to Coyle when the Scotsman led the Clarets into the Premier League and then followed Coyle to Bolton.

A statement on Wigan’s statement said: “Wigan Athletic would like to place on record its thanks to Sandy and wish him good luck in his future career.”

Wigan are stepping up their efforts to replace Coyle and the Latics chairman Dave Whelan claims his club have been granted permission to speak to Brentford boss Uwe Rosler regarding their managerial vacancy.

Out-of-work Ian Holloway, who has twice won promotion out of the Championship with Blackpool and Crystal Palace, was the first to publicly declare his interest in the vacancy on Tuesday night but it appears Whelan has set his sights firmly on Rosler.

A deal could be concluded today ahead of Wigan’s visit to Millwall this weekend.

“We have permission to talk and I will be meeting him and hope to get it done,” Whelan said.

“I’ve had a good look around and I’ve had very good reports on him. He’s obviously former (Manchester) City and lives in the area. He’s the type I’m looking for and I’m determined to get an agreement.”