Wigan have appointed club captain Gary Caldwell as their new manager, just a day after the departure of Malky Mackay.
Mackay was relieved of his duties following Wigan's 2-0 defeat to Derby on Easter Monday, which left them eight points adrift of safety in the Championship table.
CONFIRMED: Gary Caldwell appointed Wigan Athletic manager. Read more here: http://t.co/YoWICbGGGC #wafc pic.twitter.com/rQ6IK9Z7Y8
- Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) April 7, 2015
And the club has moved quickly to replace him, naming Caldwell, who will be assisted by Graham Barrow, as his successor on a permanent contract.
The 32-year-old told the club's official website: "I've made no secret of the fact that I wanted to move into management when the time was right.
"I didn't expect that to come along as quickly as this but, in football, you need to take opportunities when they arise and I am honoured and excited in equal measures to take charge at the Latics, where I have shared such incredible memories over the past five years.
"We are in a really tough place at the moment, but we will approach the next five games with only one thing in mind, to win. After that, we will assess where we are and move on."
Wigan announced that Graham Barrow will continue as assistant manager, with Eric Black working as first-team coach and Mike Pollitt as goalkeeping coach.
Wigan chairman David Sharpe added: "After a meeting with him on Monday and discussions all day Tuesday, Gary was the only candidate we considered because we are so convinced of his qualities.
"He knows who we are as a football club and shares the same football philosophy. He is a natural leader who commands respect from everyone around him.
"People will talk about his lack of experience, but every young coach is in the same place. There are many examples of young coaches being given opportunities and being successful.
"For me the timing was important. We will look to get a reaction in the next five games and this period crucially gives Gary a chance to look at the players in his way until the end of the season. Plus it enables us to start working now with a manager we know will be in place next season.
"The immediate goal is clearly to do everything we can to survive in this division, starting at Fulham on Friday. It's going to be a huge task but, with Gary, Graham, Eric and Mike at the helm, we have the right team in place.
"But this is an appointment for the long-term.
"Gary, assisted by Graham, will spearhead the club moving forwards, whatever division we find ourselves in. We have a new recruitment team in place, and an emphasis on developing our own players through the Wigan Athletic Academy.
"Everyone associated with Wigan Athletic is feeling pain at the moment, but we have now taken measures to address the situation and the most important thing is that we have a definite blueprint for the future."