Wigan Athletic are accelerating their move to appoint Gary Caldwell as their new head coach following the dismissal of Ryan Lowe.
The Latics parted company with Lowe on Saturday and are keen to have a successor in place ahead of next week’s clash with Luton Town. Caldwell, currently in charge of Exeter City, has emerged as the leading candidate, with talks understood to be progressing.
Wigan’s urgency is clear. Sitting 22nd in League One and two points from safety, the club are locked in a relegation battle and face a crucial run of fixtures in the coming weeks. Stockport and Huddersfield follow the Luton encounter, leaving little margin for a slow transition.
Caldwell Wigan History
Caldwell’s history with Wigan adds intrigue. His first managerial role came at the DW Stadium, where he guided the club to the League One title in 2015-16 before being dismissed the following season after a difficult start in the Championship. A return would represent both familiarity and unfinished business.
Since leaving Wigan, Caldwell has experienced mixed fortunes. A brief spell at Chesterfield ended in relegation, while time at Partick Thistle brought relative stability. It is at Exeter where he has rebuilt his reputation, keeping the Grecians competitive in League One and establishing them as a steady mid-table side. Across 179 matches in charge at St James Park, he has posted a win percentage of 36.87 per cent, a record that has impressed suitors.
For Wigan, the appointment would be about more than sentiment. Survival is the immediate priority. Statistical models currently place the Latics among the favourites for relegation, underlining the scale of the challenge awaiting any incoming manager.
There is also the psychological dimension. Caldwell has previously overseen both promotion and relegation, experiences that could prove valuable in a dressing room navigating pressure. His familiarity with the club’s structure and expectations may allow him to settle quickly, something Wigan’s hierarchy appear keen to prioritise.
Urgent Need of Momentum
Should a deal be finalised in time for the Luton fixture, Caldwell would inherit a side in urgent need of momentum. An FA Cup trip to Arsenal looms this weekend, offering a temporary distraction, but league form remains paramount.
For now, Wigan’s focus is on concluding negotiations and providing clarity. With the relegation battle tightening and fixtures stacking up, the next few days could shape the direction of their season.
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