Malky Mackay will take charge of Wigan for the first time against Boro this weekend after being appointed as manager this afternoon.
Dave Whelan said he believes Mackay is the man to take Wigan back into the Premier League and described him as "overwhelmingly the outstanding candidate" for the position.
But the club face a potential backlash from fans unhappy with the appointment as Mackay is still under investigation from the FA into alleged misconduct.
The Scot was reportedly set to be named as Crystal Palace boss last year when Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan sent a dossier to the FA containing revelations of racist, homophobic and sexist texts and emails between Mackay and former head of recruitment Iain Moody.
But Whelan says it's "time to move on" and described Mackay as a "committed family man with decent values".
PA 
Malky Mackay
He said: "I know that this appointment will draw criticism in some quarters but we go into it with our eyes open and we have nothing to hide on this subject.
"Malky made a mistake, he knows that, we know that and we have discussed this issue at length face to face.
"He apologised publicly for what happened at the time and has paid for what he did in terms of the bad publicity he has received since and will no doubt continue to suffer in the future.
"But I believe that it is now time to move on.
"Contrary to the way he has been portrayed in recent months, the Malky Mackay I met this week, and who has been vouched for by the many different people from whom we have sought advice before making this appointment, is an honourable man.
"He is a committed family man with decent values and is a professional who has worked and thrived for over 20 years in the multi-cultural world of modern football.
"There is nothing more to say about this subject, and as far as I am concerned we draw a line under it from today."
Former Boro boss Tony Mowbray was tipped to take charge at the DW Stadium earlier today and his odds tumbled from 5/4.
But Whelan was impressed by Mackay's previous achievements in the Championship.
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Wigan chairman Dave Whelan
"He is the man to lead us back into the Premier League, I am convinced of that having met him and discussed the demands of the job ahead of him," he said.
"He has led a team out of the Championship before and he knows this league inside out having played and managed in it.
"His achievements at Cardiff City were magnificent and we need a strong leader who will command the respect of a very experienced and talented dressing room – and he is the man to do it.
"I am delighted we have secured the services of someone who has so much to give to the game."
While Whelan wants Mackay to take Wigan back to the Premier League, the new manager's first task will be to pull the Latics away from the dangerzone.
Wigan fell into the relegation zone after defeat at Bolton last time out, leading to the sacking of the former Brentford boss.
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