Wigan appoint Exeter's Caldwell as manager in time for Luton clash
New boss will be in the dug-out on Wednesday night
Wigan Athletic have appointed Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell as the club's new head coach, returning to the Brick Community Stadium for his second spell in charge.
The 43-year-old started his playing career at Newcastle United, as having played for a host of teams including Hibernian and Celtic, moved to the Latics in 2010, winning the FA Cup in 2013, as the Scotland international featured over 100 times before hanging his boots up. After retiring, Caldwell joined the coaching staff and was then named manager in April 2015 once Malky Mackay was dismissed, the club were relegated from the Championship, as he led his side to the League One title, but was sacked in October 2016 after 18 months in charge with the Latics in 23rd place and winless in four games.
Since then he has been with Chesterfield and Partick Thistle, then heading to Exeter in 2022, spending four years at St James Park, managing against the Hatters on three occasions, twice this term, a 4-0 defeat at Kenilworth Road in the Vertu Trophy, plus a 1-0 win in the league on New Year’s Day. Wigan had sacked manager Ryan Lowe last week after a 6-1 defeat against Peterborough, as they were also beaten 2-1 at home by Reading to sit third bottom in the league, knocked out of FA Cup with a 4-0 loss at Premier League table-toppers Arsenal on Sunday, all four goals coming in the opening 30 minutes.
With Caldwell’s first game at home to the Hatters on Wednesday evening, a statement on the Wigan official website said: “Following agreement of compensation with Exeter City, Wigan Athletic are delighted to announce the return of Gary Caldwell as the Club's new Head Coach. Arriving on the back of a successful spell with the Grecians, Caldwell will be embarking on his second spell in the dugouts at the Brick Community Stadium, having previously guided the Club to the 2015/16 Sky Bet League One title.
“The 43-year-old's return marks an exciting new chapter for the Football Club. With his homecoming, Caldwell will be hoping to bring back the proud values, identity and ambition that have long defined Wigan Athletic. A popular figure amongst supporters, Caldwell's connection with Latics is undeniable. After signing from Celtic in 2010, he made over 100 appearances in Latics colours, and captained the side during one of the most remarkable periods in the Club's history - leading the team to several Premier League Great Escapes and lifting the Emirates FA Cup at Wembley in May 2013.
“The former Scotland international has a profound understanding of the Club's culture and ethos, and will be looking to build on his already strong relationship with the supporters. He has grown from strength to strength as a coach in recent years, achieving real success at St James Park. Following his appointment in October 2022, Caldwell has established the Grecians as a League One side, with the Devon-based outfit currently on track for their longest spell in the Third Tier since the late 1970s and early 1980s.
“With 16 fixtures remaining in the 2025/26 Sky Bet League One campaign, Caldwell’s immediate focus will be on inspiring the squad to a strong finish to the season. He will demand intensity, belief, and togetherness as the Tics push to secure survival and to create a platform to build from heading into the summer.
"He is not the only familiar face returning to the Brick Community Stadium, with David Perkins coming back as First Team Coach. A two-time League One title winner with Latics, Perkins was the Club’s 2015/16 Player of the Year and has remained a firm fans’ favourite. The Board believes this appointment represents a step forward - reconnecting the Club’s proud past with an ambitious future.
“With Caldwell and Perkins both returning to the Brick Community Stadium, there is renewed optimism and a shared determination to build a team that supporters can be proud of. We can confirm that Assistant Head Coach Glenn Whelan and First-Team Coach Nicky Adams have departed the Football Club. We thank both Glenn and Nicky for their efforts and wish them well in the future.”