Wigan Athletic boss Gary Caldwell has been named the Sky Bet League 1 Manager of the Month for February.
His calm shrewdness has built momentum in Wigan with impeccable timing this season.February was the month in which his side broke into the automatic promotion places with 10 points from a possible 12 scoring seven and conceding only once.
Caldwell said: “It’s great to receive the award, the first one for me as a manager but really I don’t see it as a personal award, more of a collective recognition of what we have achieved as a coaching team because everyone makes a vital contribution.
“So I have to give thanks to my staff first and foremost, then to the players because it is them who have put in a great effort in what was a very tough month.
“The key thing now is for us to maintain our consistency as we move to the crucial last few weeks of the season, and not to lose our drive. We have to keep 100 per cent focused on reaching our target of promotion.”
George Burley, who chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel, said: “Gary was a first class professional as a player and he is now proving that he has the makings of an exceptional manager.
“Wigan had a great month, picking up 10 points out of 12 and conceding only one goal while scoring seven. This has taken them into the automatic promotion places.”
Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “Gary is proving that it was a wise call to appoint him in April 2015, with the club struggling against relegation from the Championship.
“Less than a year later, he has brought them right into automatic promotion contention, and given them a chance to get back to the Championship at the first attempt, which, as history shows, is an extremely difficult task to achieve.”
Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “February started on a high for Caldwell’s Wigan side as they went to Bramall Lane and beat pre-season League 1 favourites Sheffield United.
“This kick-started an unbeaten month and saw them replace Walsall, who they would also go on to beat away from home, as second favourites behind leaders Burton in the League 1 title race.”
The Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel comprises former Ipswich Town boss George Burley, Sky Sports’ Football League expert Don Goodman; Football League Chief Operating Officer Andy Williamson; League Managers’ Association Director Olaf Dixon and Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery.