Wigan have collected just eight points from their opening 12 games and suffered a sixth successive loss as Chelsea won at the JJB Stadium on Saturday.

Hutchings, who only took charge following Paul Jewell’s resignation at the end of last season, does not believe he was given enough time but will not dwell on the matter for too long.

The 50-year-old told Sky Sports News: “I’m very disappointed in the decision the chairman has made and disappointed we couldn’t carry on the work we have started.

“These days, I think everybody says you need time to impose your own style of play. Obviously, when you’re not given enough time, it’s very, very disappointing. I didn’t really feel my time was up.

“But you’re judged by your results and we haven’t got them in recent weeks. I will not beat about the bush, I want to get back into football as soon as possible.

“So if there is anyone out there looking for a manager or a coach, I am available.”

Hutchings leaves the team in the bottom three but Wigan insist they will not rush into naming a successor and are confident the side are good enough to avoid relegation.

Former Liverpool, Blackburn and Newcastle boss Graeme Souness has emerged as an early favourite and two bookmakers even suspended betting on the Scot last night after a flurry of activity.

Jewell is also being linked with a return to the club he steered to promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history in 2005.

Chief executive Brenda Spencer said: “We haven’t got anybody in mind at the moment. You don’t need to advertise a job like this. As soon as everyone knows there is a position we will be getting requests from other people who think they can do a good job at Wigan Athletic.

“We have to just look around and have to see who applies for the position.

“I think when you look at the team we have got some really good players and got one of the strongest squads on paper we have had over the last few seasons. Those players are well capable of keeping us in the Premier League.”

Chairman Dave Whelan is currently on holiday in Barbados but will stay in constant contact with the club as they seek applications.

It is the fourth managerial vacancy to arise in the Premier League this season following the departures of Jose Mourinho, Sammy Lee and Martin Jol at Chelsea, Bolton and Tottenham respectively.

Assistant boss Frank Barlow, along with Mark Seagraves, will take over as caretaker manager for Sunday’s trip to Spurs.