Wigan Athletic fans are buzzing with anticipation as Gary Caldwell returns to the Brick Community Stadium, reigniting a connection that stretches back over a decade. The club announced Caldwell’s appointment as head coach on February 16, 2026, a move that marks his second spell in charge of the Latics and a homecoming for one of their most storied figures. With Wigan languishing in 22nd place in League One and staring at the threat of relegation, Caldwell’s arrival couldn’t be timelier—or more dramatic.
Caldwell, aged 43, leaves Exeter City after three and a half years, where he had quietly built a reputation for overachieving on a tight budget. His decision to return to Wigan is rooted in both professional ambition and personal ties. "I am so different to when I left this club 10 years ago. The experiences I have had good and bad have really shaped me as a coach," Caldwell told BBC Radio Lancashire. "The job I have done in three and a half years at Exeter show that I can overachieve with what I've got and I have to do the same again here to get us out of this situation."
It’s a poignant reunion. Caldwell’s Wigan pedigree is undeniable: he played 100 Premier League games for the club and famously captained the side to their historic 2013 FA Cup win over Manchester City—remember Ben Watson’s stoppage-time header? Caldwell was right at the heart of it. After hanging up his boots in 2015, he stepped straight into the dugout, first as a coach and then as manager, taking over after Malky Mackay’s departure.
His first managerial stint at Wigan was a rollercoaster. He couldn’t keep the Latics in the Championship, but he bounced back by guiding them to the League One title in 2015-16. That achievement, though, was followed by a rough patch in the Championship and his eventual dismissal in October 2016. Since then, Caldwell’s coaching journey has taken him to Chesterfield, Partick Thistle, and then Exeter City, where he managed 180 games and left the Grecians in 13th place in League One—no small feat for a financially challenged, fan-owned club.
Wigan’s board is banking on Caldwell’s experience and deep connection to the club to spark a turnaround. "The Board believes this appointment represents a step forward—reconnecting the Club’s proud past with an ambitious future," read the club’s official statement. The move didn’t come cheap; Wigan had to pay compensation to Exeter City to secure Caldwell’s services, underscoring just how much faith they’re placing in their returning hero.
The timing is critical. The Latics are winless in eight league matches, have lost their last four, and sit just a point from safety. Their FA Cup run ended in a 4-0 drubbing by Arsenal on February 15, 2026, leaving the league as their sole focus. Caldwell’s immediate challenge? A crucial home clash against Luton Town on Wednesday, February 18—a fixture that could set the tone for the remainder of Wigan’s season.
Caldwell is under no illusions about the task ahead. "I came back because I love the football club and think the club should be in a better position than it is. I think I can help take the club further up the league and even more than that in the future take them out of this league and back up towards the Premier League," he declared, brimming with optimism and resolve.
Wigan’s managerial carousel has spun quickly in recent years. The club had been without a permanent manager since parting ways with Ryan Lowe on February 7. Caldwell’s arrival also signals a shakeup in the coaching staff, with assistant head coach Glenn Whelan and first-team coach Nicky Adams both departing. In their place, Caldwell brings in familiar faces, including former Wigan midfielder David Perkins, who joins as first-team coach, aiming to inject fresh energy and perspective into the squad.
Meanwhile, the impact of Caldwell’s departure is being keenly felt in Exeter. Interim chairman Laurence Overend praised Caldwell’s "passion and professionalism" and acknowledged the "strong progress made during Gary's tenure and the positive connection he has forged with supporters, staff and players alike." The Grecians, who haven’t sacked a manager since 2003, now face a period of transition, with Dan Green stepping up to lead the team for their upcoming match against Wycombe Wanderers.
Exeter’s loss is Wigan’s gain, but it’s a move that comes with its own risks. Caldwell’s time at Exeter wasn’t without its rough patches—most notably a brutal run from September to December 2023, when the team managed just two wins in 19 games, including heavy 9-0 and 7-0 defeats. Yet, he also delivered memorable moments, such as guiding Exeter to a famous EFL Cup win over then-Premier League Luton Town and pushing Nottingham Forest, then chasing a Champions League spot, to penalties in the FA Cup fourth round.
For Exeter, the future looks challenging. The club is bracing for significant budget cuts next season as it seeks to recover from last year’s overspending. Brent Pilnick of BBC Sport England, South West, described Caldwell’s exit as "a big blow to the financially-troubled fan-owned club," noting his knack for outperforming expectations despite limited resources.
Back in Wigan, the sense of nostalgia is palpable, but so is the urgency. Caldwell’s family remains based in the North West, and his affinity for the Latics is well documented. The club’s statement described his return as "an exciting new chapter"—and for a team desperate for stability and inspiration, it’s hard to argue with that sentiment.
As Caldwell prepares for his first game back in charge, Wigan fans are daring to hope that history can repeat itself—or, better yet, that their returning manager can write a brand-new chapter of success. The immediate focus is on survival, but with Caldwell at the helm, dreams of climbing the league and even a return to the Premier League no longer seem quite so far-fetched. The next few weeks promise to be a fascinating ride.