Lessons Learned?

So he's made a big mistake; he's insulted a lot of people; and as Wigan fans will testify, he's ruined the reputation of a well-run family club. But if Dave Whelan steps down as Chairman of Wigan Athletic, it can only make things worse.

Now that the FA have handed out their punishment for Whelan's comments about Jewish and Chinese people it's time for the club to move on. Some may say a six-week ban is lenient but the mandatory education programme he will also attend should ensure that Whelan learns a valuable lesson.

Whelan has made millions of pounds and is one of the most successful self-made businessmen this country has ever seen. So imagine what it will make him feel like to sit and be told what is right and wrong, like he is back at school? It will be embarrassing and demeaning, but it's totally necessary.

Crucially, the FA haven't found Whelan to be a racist and this might be what saves his position at Wigan. He is guilty of being a naive old man with an old-fashioned mentality though. And if an education programme drags him into 2015 then bring it on.

When Venky's took over at Whelan's beloved Blackburn, he vowed that he'd never let something similar happen to Wigan. And that's when the talk started about his grandson David Sharpe eventually taking over. Eventually, it makes sense. But not quite yet.

Sharpe's appointment to the Wigan board just before Christmas was quite telling. I hope it's not because the FA ruling marks the end of Whelan's tenure, but rather I would prefer it to mark the start of Sharpe's education in how to run a football club.

I'd like nothing more than the club to remain in the Whelan family when Dave steps down, but please not just yet.

The sensible thing to do is to make this a gradual process. Whelan has been foolish but the whole club shouldn't be made to pay for it.

Sharpe represented the club, along with Gary Caldwell, at a Skybet Transfer Fund event at Wembley just before Christmas, and this is the sort of thing he should be seen to be doing for when his big moment comes.

Uwe Rosler said at the weekend that he called Whelan when he said he'd quit if found guilty. Rosler urged Whelan to rethink and said the club needs its Chairman right now. And how right he is.

We musn't forget that the FA are yet to rule on Malky Mackay so there could be tougher times ahead. And I for one don't want the club to face them without Dave Whelan at the helm.