Gary Caldwell appointed Chesterfield boss

Former Wigan Athletic boss Gary Caldwell admits he's looking only forward, not back, after confirming his return to management at Chesterfield.
Gary CaldwellGary Caldwell
Gary Caldwell

The 34-year succeeds Wigan-born Danny Wilson at the Proact Stadium, and has his work cut out with the Spireites lying third-bottom of League One.

But he insists he has nothing to prove after being surprisingly relieved of his duties at the DW Stadium in October after leading Latics to the third tier title last term.

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“I’m somebody that doesn’t look back in life, I only try to look forward and to the future,” Caldwell said.

“The decision was made, and I do think I’m a better manager now because of the experience I had in my short time at Wigan.

“And I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead of me here.

“I think any manager will tell you that when you’re out of the game it’s a frustrating time.

“But I’m delighted to be back, to be here at Chesterfield, and take up this challenge.

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“I had discussions with the club about the role and where they were looking to go.

“Over the weekend I came to the game on Saturday, and saw them beat Coventry, and felt it was the right move for me and my career.”

Caldwell feels his experience in League One can help him hit the ground running at his new club.

“I think that will be important,” the former Latics captain acknowledged.

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“Obviously the experience I have, and the success I enjoyed last year, is going to be really important.

“But what I saw at the weekend was a group of players that worked extremely hard to win the game, and who showed a lot of quality.

“Obviously in January everyone is looking to improve and get more players in to the club.

“But first and foremost I have to come in and see the players I’ve already got, and should we need to bring in any more we’ll look to do that before the window closes.”

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Caldwell is also refusing to look too far down the track, with his immediate focus only on the next challenge in front of him.

“The aim is to win on Saturday!” he added on Sky Sports News.

“When you’ve been a football manager, and I’ve had 18 months of that, the aim is always to win the next game.

“That’s the priority at the minute, to win as many games as we can, and to climb out of the position we’re in.”

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Caldwell’s predecessor, Wilson, was sacked on January 8 following a miserable run of 13 defeats in 18 League One matches which left the Spireites in the relegation zone.

Experienced player Ritchie Humphreys, the current PFA chairman, oversaw the 4-0 defeat at Luton in the Checkatrade Trophy and Saturday’s 1-0 league victory over fellow strugglers Coventry, but Caldwell now takes charge ahead of the visit of AFC Wimbledon at the weekend.

After leaving Latics in October, Caldwell was interviewed for the Charlton job the following month as he sought a quick return to management, but the Addicks opted for the more experienced Karl Robinson, following his achievements at MK Dons.