text: Wigan Athletic have acted swiftly in finding a replacement for Malky Mackay, making former club captain Gary Caldwell their new manager as the Championship strugglers look to fight off relegation. The 32-year-old, who has been at the DW Stadium since 2010, will take charge for the first time against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Friday. The move to appoint Caldwell comes as a surprise, with the Scot admitting himself that he did not expect to get the job. Wigan Athletic have made club captain Gary Caldwell their new manager on a long-term basis . Caldwell (right) lifted the FA Cup with Wigan in 2013 but now he must lead them out of a relegation scrap . The former Scotland international has made no secret of his intentions to take up coaching in the past . Gary Caldwell, who joined Wigan in 2010 from Celtic and was appointed captain in his first full season at the club. The Scotland international signed a new one-year contract with the club in July last year and was given some coaching responsibilities as part of his new role. On retiring in February after being unable to recover from a hip injury, Caldwell formally joined the academy as a member of coaching staff. Chairman David Sharpe said Caldwell was 'the only candidate we considered'. 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 Sky Bet Championship table. 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 . 'I've made no secret of the fact that I wanted to move into management when the time was right,' Caldwell said. '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. Malky Mackay was relieved of his duties after defeat by Derby on Easter Monday, with Wigan struggling . '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 chairman David Sharpe, who only recently took over from his grandfather Dave Whelan, said the move was made to get an immediate reaction but that the club see Caldwell as their long-term leader. '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. Chairman David Sharpe (centre) made it clear that the appointment was part of a long-term strategy . '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,' he said. '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. 'But this is an appointment for the long-term.' Caldwell, who turns 33 on Sunday, will be formally presented at a press conference on Wednesday morning, .
target: Club captain Gary Caldwell has been appointed as the manager of Wigan .
  He replaces Malky Mackay as the relegation-threatened club's boss .
  Chairman David Sharpe said Caldwell was the only candidate considered .