Wigan Athletic have appointed Gary Caldwell as head coach for the second time, bringing back the 43-year-old who previously led the club from 2015-16. Caldwell, who has been managing Exeter City since 2022, returns to the League One side where he spent six seasons as a player and previously guided them to promotion.

In his first spell, Caldwell could not prevent Wigan's relegation to League One but immediately bounced back by winning the title in 2016. However, he was sacked in October of that championship season following a poor start. His return comes at a challenging time for Wigan, who are currently 22nd in League One, without a league win in eight games, and a point from safety.

The appointment reunites Caldwell with David Perkins, who joins as first-team coach after playing alongside him at Wigan. The move represents a significant blow to Exeter, who were 13th in League One and aiming to secure their longest tenure in the third tier since the late 1970s. Exeter chairman Laurence Overend acknowledged Caldwell's positive impact, noting his passionate representation of the club and advocacy for their ownership model.