Shaun Maloney, a former Wigan Athletic midfielder, is expected to rejoin the Championship team to take over as manager in Kolo Toure's absence.
The Latics team that defeated Manchester City in the 2013 FA Cup final included Maloney.
Before leaving for Major League Soccer, the 40-year-old made 91 appearances over the course of four years.
Hibernian of the Scottish Premiership was his former charge for four months before he was fired.
Maloney, a former Scotland international, was a member of Roberto Martinez's backroom staff with Belgium, and Martinez, who was the former Latics manager, gave Wigan a glowing recommendation.
In an effort to move up from the Championship's bottom spot, it is hoped that the club will be active for the remainder of the transfer window.
Having failed to win a single game in his first nine matches in charge, Toure was fired on Thursday.
Wigan is four points away from safety despite only picking up nine points in their last 18 league games.
