Exclusive: Gary Caldwell to Wigan? Exeter Ready to Welcome Back Matt Taylor

Exeter City have a ready-made replacement lined up for Gary Caldwell if the Grecians’ boss takes up a new job at Wigan Athletic, SportsBoom can reveal. 

Caldwell, a former Latics’ player and manager, is one of the clear favourites to replace Ryan Lowe, who was sacked last weekend after the team’s 6-1 thrashing at Peterborough.

And while City fans will be sad if the Scot does switch to the North West, they will be delighted by his potential successor.

Matt Taylor has been out of work since losing his job at Bristol Rovers in December 2024 and spending time on compassionate leave due to a family tragedy.

But the 44-year-old Lancastrian is looking for a new appointment and a return to St James Park would be an ideal fit.

Taylor became Exeter manager for the first time in 2018 and was one of the most sought-after lower league bosses.

The highlight of his four-year reign was guiding the Grecians into League One after play-off final heartbreak in 2020.

But two years later it was Taylor made for Exeter as they finished runners-up in League Two to finally earn promotion. They only lost out on the title to Forest Green Rovers on goal difference. 

Interim boss Glenn Whelan had been linked with the Wigan job on a permanent basis, but with Wigan reportedly set to look elsewhere for their next manager, the club appear ready to consider other options.

Long History 

As a player, Taylor had been part of Exeter's team when they previously won promotion to League One in 2009.

But the celebrations were short lived as he was appointed manager of then Championship outfit Rotherham United, succeeding Paul Warne.

Sadly, for the likeable big man he couldn’t recreate his success in the South West. A little over 12 months later he was sacked with the Millers deep in relegation trouble.

Bristol Rovers quickly offered him a career lifeline, giving him a three-and-a-half-year contract in December 2023.

That role only lasted a year but Exeter will look to bring him back should the man who succeeded him first time round join Wigan again.