Former Celtic defender is new Exeter manager

Gary Caldwell replaces Matt Taylor

Exeter City have announced the appointment of new manager, Gary Caldwell.

Caldwell, 40, played professional football in the Premier League, Championship and Scottish Premiership, as well as winning the FA Cup for Wigan in 2013. Since then, he has managed made Wigan League One champions, the league Exeter are currently in - and has managed Chesterfield and Partick Thistle, as well as being an assistant manager at HIbernian.

He joins Exeter on a long term contract, but the length hasn't been disclosed. He joined players and staff at Exeter's Cat and Fiddle training ground on Monday, ahead of Tuesday's away match at Derby.

Speaking at his first press conference, Caldwell said the decision to join Exeter was an "not at all difficult...When the job came up it was really appealing, for obvious reasons in terms of the stability and time that managers get at this football club, and thankfully I'm here now."

He is only the third permanent manager Exeter in 16 years, following Paul Tisdale, who headed the club for more than a decade and then former captain Matt Taylor, who left last month for Championship side Rotherham.

Caldwell praised Exeter. He said "I had to research the club a lot, but was pleased with everything I saw, especially in terms of the academy, something I'm always very interested in when I manage a football club."

He acknowledged the rarity of his position of inheriting a club on the rise, saying that he wants to "add to and evolve what Matt Taylor has done at this club, but gradually make little changes I think could improve the team, both in the short and long-term."

Currently eighth in the table, Caldwell has to face top teams around them in the next few games. After Derby, the top four clubs come up in the next six games, including the Devon derby on Halloween. His Celtic days should help, as he credits his Old Firm experience in understanding how fans value success on derby day.

The fact that the club is supporter-owned, and doesn't have millionaire owners and infinite money doesn't daunt Caldwell. He said: "I understand that brings challenges, but as long as we're all on the same page we can overcome those challenges by coaching our own players, and developing the academy.

"A lot of hard work both on and off the grass is important, but with some subtle changes I will make over time, the clubs model is something I am ready for and am really looking forward to." 

Referring to the 'Semper Fidelis' (always faithful) motto on the club badge, he talked about the club's unity, family and togetherness, and how vital it is that the fans, players, coaches and owners support one another.

He is naturally keen to please the fans, and hopes they will back him over the first tough period.

"The next six games are going to be difficult, but I think its a fantastic opportunity to show who we are and see where this season can go, but ultimately I will be judged over a longer period of time, over months and years ahead."

He continued: "I can't wait to see the fans in the Big Bank for the first time, and I'm very excited to meet the players. I also can't wait to go to the coaching pitch; I think that's where I come alive, that's what my passion it, working with players, developing players, trying to give them as much as I can so they can go out and perform to the best of their ability."

He said that  the feeling the moment as the game kicks off is "like a drug, and that's why I'm here to experience those occasions with the supporters of Exeter City"

Club president Julian Tagg said that the decision to appoint Caldwell was "pretty easy come the end. By the second interview he seemed to understand the club really well, and was very detailed with his plans for the future."

An off-the-pitch incident at the weekend has the potential to distract preparations, but neither the new manager nor club president would  comment on two players being allegedly involved in a fight with other people in Exeter city centre on Saturday night.

A club statement says: "Exeter City Football Club is aware of a video circulating on social media which shows an incident outside a city nightclub last night. At present the club can make no further comment."

After taking charge of his first game away at Derby, and then at Plymouth, Exeter's home crowd will have to wait until 12 November to see Caldwell at St James Park, in a game against Peterborough. 

Listen to part of his press conference below.