Wigan Athletic have named former Manchester United U23 coach Warren Joyce as new manager.

The 51-year-old former Bolton, Preston, Plymouth, Burnley and Hull City midfielder has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the struggling Championship club.

Chairman David Sharpe said: "Warren has everything we are looking for."

Joyce succeeds Gary Caldwell, who was sacked on 25 October, five months after winning promotion from League One.

Joyce, whose United team have finished top of the FA Professional U21 Development League for the past two seasons, will take charge of Wigan for the first time when they host Reading this Saturday.

Sharpe added: "He is an exceptional coach, who has a reputation within the game for being among the very best at bringing through young players, as his record at Manchester United shows.

"More than that, he has a winning mentality which transmits to his players and he has achieved great success in his time at United.

"Warren has had several high-profile opportunities but wants to move back into management, and it is a measure of how highly we rate him that we are making such a long-term commitment."