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Once bitten - themaclad - 16-02-2026
Gary Caldwell believes Wigan Athletic will see a much better head coach a decade on from his last spell in charge after being appointed by the club for the second time.
Caldwell, 43, opted to leave Exeter City and return to Wigan where he previously spent six seasons as a player and 18 months in the dugout from April 2015.
"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," he 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.
"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."
Caldwell played 100 games in the top flight for Wigan and led them as captain to a shock FA Cup win at Wembley against Manchester City in 2013.
After hanging up his boots in the 2014-15 season, he accepted the challenge of trying to keep a relegation-threatened Latics in the Championship.
Although he was unable to achieve that Caldwell brought them back as League One champions in 2016 only to lose his job in October of that year after a poor start to the following season.
Caldwell went on to have spells at Chesterfield and Partick Thistle before taking charge of Exeter in 2022, racking up 180 games in charge at St James Park.
Wigan, who were beaten 4-0 by Arsenal in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, have been without a permanent manager since parting company with Ryan Lowe on 7 February.
Caldwell inherits a side who are without a league win in eight games, having lost the last four, and are 22nd in the League One table, a point from safety. The length of his contract has not been disclosed.
A club statement described his return, external as "an exciting new chapter" in Wigan's history.
Exeter confirmed the two clubs had reached an agreement on compensation for Caldwell, who has brought former Wigan midfielder David Perkins to the Brick Community Stadium as first-team coach.
The former Scotland international has parted company with the Grecians on good terms with interim chairman Laurence Overend thanking him for his time in Devon.
"He has represented our club with great passion and professionalism and has helped shape our team in a challenging and competitive division," he said.
"The club acknowledges the strong progress made during Gary's tenure and recognises the positive connection he has forged with supporters, staff and players alike.
"He has also embraced and been a powerful advocate in support of our ownership model. We wish him all the best for the future."
Dan Green will take charge of Exeter for Tuesday's home game against Wycombe Wanderers.
The length of Caldwell's new contract has not been disclosed by Wigan, who also confirmed assistant head coach Glenn Whelan and first-team coach Nicky Adams have left the club.
'Big blow for Exeter' - analysis
By Brent Pilnick, BBC Sport England, South West
Caldwell's departure is a big blow to the financially-troubled fan-owned club.
He has consistently guided Exeter to positions in excess of their wage structure.
Currently 13th in League One, should Exeter stay in the division come the end of the season it will be their longest tenure in the third tier since the late 1970's to the early 1980's.
He has had some rocky times such as a run of two wins in 19 games from September to December 2023 included 9-0 and 7-0 losses.
But he has had some memorable moments as well - beating then-Premier League Luton Town to guide Exeter to reach the last 16 of the EFL Cup for the first time since 1989 and taking Nottingham Forest, who at the time were chasing a Champions League place, to penalties in the FA Cup fourth round.
However, it comes as no surprise that he has chosen to leave the club - both on a personal and professional level.
Exeter could see a major cut in their playing budget next season as they aim to get on an even keel after over spending last season, making an already tough job even harder.
In addition, Caldwell's family is still based in the North West and his Wigan connections are well documented - although he is leaving a club who have not sacked a manager since 2003 for a club whose last boss lasted 11 months.