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Favourites to become new Exeter manager after Gary Caldwell departs for Wigan

We take a look at the favourites to become new Exeter City manager after Gary Caldwell departs for Wigan Athletic.

Caldwell departs after a three-and-a-half-year stint. Dan Green will take charge of Tuesday night’s fixture against Wycombe at St James Park, with another statement expected to follow regarding the appointment of the Grecians’ next manager. Assistant Head Coach Glenn Whelan and First-Team Coach Nicky Adams have also left Exeter.

Exeter who sit 14th in League One, with 39 points from 30 games played, 10 points from the playoff places and 7 points above the drop zone. Wigan are 22nd, with 31 points from 30 games played, and are a point from safety.

Alex Crook tweeted on the day on the announcement: “Gary Caldwell exit from Exeter to return to #WAFC to be announced this morning. Dan Green expected to take charge of the Grecians for the rest of the season.”

Football League World meanwhile have listed Dan Green, Matt Taylor and Darren Ferguson as three replacements that the club must consider.

WIGAN STATEMENT:

Wigan Athletic are delighted to announce the return of Gary Caldwell as the Club’s new Head Coach

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.

Welcome back to Wigan Athletic, Gary and Perks!

EXETER STATEMENT:

Exeter City Football Club can confirm that Gary Caldwell has left his role as first-team manager.

Saturday’s match against Northampton Town was Gary’s last, and he leaves to take up the position of manager at League One side Wigan Athletic – a club which he has both played for and managed during his career.

Following negotiations over the last few days, Exeter City and Wigan Athletic have reached an agreement on a suitable compensation sum.

Gary joined the Grecians in October 2022, succeeding Matt Taylor and quickly became a central figure in the club’s strong recent history on the pitch. Over the past three-and-a-half seasons, Gary has steered Exeter City to become a consistent League One club and helped develop a competitive squad under the unique supporter-owned model of the club.

Under Gary’s leadership, the Grecians have produced a number of memorable performances, secured important league results, impressive Emirates FA Cup runs and given opportunities to several younger players who have since gone on to make an impact with the first team.

In 2024 Gary created history as the first Exeter City manager to take the Club to the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup since 1981 – where the team pushed Premier League side Nottingham Forest all the way to a penalty shootout.

Gary managed the Grecians 180 times in all competitions and leaves St James Park having won 67 of those matches. He leaves the club with the Grecians sitting in mid-table in EFL Sky Bet League One.

Laurence Overend, interim Club Board Chair, said: “On behalf of everyone at Exeter City, I would like to thank Gary for his efforts, leadership and commitment over the last few seasons. He has represented our club with great passion and professionalism and has helped shape our team in a challenging and competitive division.

“During his time as manager Gary has been fully committed to Exeter City, supporting the Club both on the pitch and within the community, where he has been a visible and enthusiastic presence. 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.”

A further announcement regarding the appointment of the Club’s next manager will follow. Dan Green will take charge of tomorrow’s match against Wycombe Wanderers at St James Park, assisted by Kevin Nicholson.

Here’s how fans reacted as the favourites to become new Exeter manager emerge after Gary Caldwell departs for Wigan…

@NexusworldHQ: Good luck Gary – whilst there were no promotions or what you would call traditional success in football terms, what you achieved at this football club by keeping us in L1 for so long with next to no money was unbelievable. My favourite manager in the last 20 years. ⚪️🔴

@MaxFournier7: Funnily enough, this time last year I’d have happily driven him up to Wigan myself. Opinions change rapidly in football, and now I will absolutely miss him. Best of luck at Wigan Gary 🙌

@devonhatter: A manager who stuck to his priciples, showed passion, worked incredibly well with the budget constraints and size in the league, always professional, and a genuine football man. Good luck, Gary.

@BenStuart414: Blokes done a fantastic job under the circumstances when you take a step back, do worry about the long term future of this club đź« 

@mike_wakely: Best of luck Gary & thanks for what you did for the club. He leaves us in a good position.

@JackHawker2: There it is. Best of luck Gary. Been a great servant to the club. What a terrible season we are having off the pitch

@Jackvickery_: Gary Caldwell worked miracles with minimal resources. Fully deserving of the move back up North with a club he evidently loves. Genuine, top bloke who bought into our club ethos. Leaving us in a good place on field too. Done an excellent job here. Nothing but best wishes. #ecfc

@JohnBridger_: Did well to hold on for an extra 12/18 months, we move on #ECFC

@RyanECFC: Been a rollercoaster but at the end of it all, I’m genuinely gutted to see him go. Regardless of previous performances or results, he seemed a genuinely nice guy who bought into the club’s ethos and tried to connect with the fanbase #ECFC

@BenECFC1904: GC did a difficult job well for the time he was here. He was given the benefit of time, but used that time to keep us in the league despite all signs pointing otherwise and we are better than when he arrived. I always got the sense that he really cared about the club. #ECFC

@ecfcwill: All the best Gary, some unforgettable games under you. Hope all goes well for you at Wigan #ecfc

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