MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 18:24:06| >> :120:19420:19420:

David Sharpe eyes "long-term" Gary Caldwell reign

Wigan chairman David Sharpe admits that it would be a "miracle" if new boss Gary Caldwell keeps the club in the Championship, but insists that he will be given time.

Wigan Athletic chairman David Sharpe has insisted that new manager Gary Caldwell will be given time to turn things around at the club, regardless of what happens in the closing stages of this season.

The Latics currently sit 23rd in the Championship table, eight points from safety with just five games of the campaign remaining.

A 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Derby County on Easter Monday proved to be the final straw for Malky Mackay, while former club captain Caldwell was named as his successor less than 24 hours later.

The 32-year-old has been handed a rolling contract until the end of next season, and Sharpe admitted that it would be a "miracle" if he were able to keep them in the division.

"That shows how much I believe in Gary," Sharpe told reporters.

"It's definitely not just for the next five games, he's got a free hit at it really. If he keeps us up it's a miracle and if we go down it's expected by everybody in this room but Gary will back himself to keep us up.

"This is a long-term thing and we're looking forward to the future with him that gets us back to our identity on and off the pitch and bring the positive times back to this football club."

Caldwell's first match in charge comes on Friday as Wigan face Fulham at Craven Cottage.

ID:215919: cacheID:215919:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2625:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Wigan manager Malky Mackay gives instructions during the Sky Bet Championship match between Reading and Wigan Athletic at Madejski Stadium on February 17, 2015
Read Next:
Sharpe: 'Changes had to be made'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Portsmouth392411463323183
2Derby CountyDerby402461069353478
3Bolton WanderersBolton39228971432874
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough38218974462871
5Barnsley382011770482271
6Oxford UnitedOxford Utd391891262521063
7Stevenage3917111151401162
8Lincoln CityLincoln3916131056332361
9Blackpool391791357421560
10Leyton Orient391610134444058
11Northampton TownNorthampton40158175160-953
12Wigan AthleticWigan39177155348550
13Wycombe WanderersWycombe381311145049150
14Bristol Rovers38148164857-950
15Exeter CityExeter39138183352-1947
16Charlton AthleticCharlton391015145758-145
17Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury39135212955-2644
18Reading39139175557-242
19Burton Albion39109203151-2039
20Cambridge UnitedCambridge38109193255-2339
21Port Vale3899203661-2536
22Cheltenham TownCheltenham3798203050-2035
23Fleetwood TownFleetwood39713194161-2034
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle3959253569-3424


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!