Fresh approach for Wigan

admin

Caldwell is in his first pre-season as a manager, having taken on the job in April after the club fired Malky Mackay. The 32-year-old, who lifted the FA Cup after Wigan famously upset Manchester City in the 2013 final, already has squad involved in summer training.

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work. I think to win any league – to win anything in football nowadays – you have to be willing to work hard and make sacrifices,” Caldwell told Sky Sports HQ.

“The team are going to have to do that, we’re going to have to stick together.

“It’s a long season, we’re going to go to some really difficult places, so we have to be ready for those challenges but I’m sure we are. 

“The club is new in a sense that the chairman has brought a fresh approach, I’m a very new manager, so we want to bring something new to the club and a really fresh approach that’s going to lift everyone and help us achieve our goals for the season.

“It’s a long season, we’ve got four trophies that we’re in now, now that we’re down in League One, so we need a squad that’s going to be able to perform on all fronts. 

“Every day with the chairman we’re talking on different targets and what we’re looking for and we’re working really hard to try and bring them in.”

While Wigan looks to recruit those “new targets” it will start the league season without the services of James McLean after the Irish winger signed a three-year £1.5million deal with West Brom.

“The player wanted to play at a higher level and I said to all the squad if that’s the case then let me know, and if we get the right offer the club we’ll look at it and they can move on,” Caldwell said.

“James was a great servant to the club, he gave us a great effort every time he played but that’s what he wanted to do, the club got what they wanted and everyone was happy, and we wish him all the best.”