Matt Gilks has returned to Wigan Athletic as the club’s first-team goalkeeping coach, joining Gary Caldwell’s staff ahead of Saturday’s home game against Reading.
The former Latics goalkeeper will lead the club’s goalkeeping department, returning in a coaching role after making 14 appearances during the 2016/17 season.
In its announcement, Wigan explained that the news had been shared through Caldwell’s press conference and the club website, rather than an official social media post, out of respect for Kevin and his family.
Caldwell acknowledged the difficult circumstances surrounding the appointment while expressing his confidence in someone he already knows well.
A familiar face returns
Gilks originally joined Latics from Rangers during the 2016/17 campaign. His playing career also included Premier League football with Blackpool and international appearances for Scotland.
He has since built coaching experience with Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley and Accrington Stanley, and now returns to Wigan to work with the club’s goalkeepers.
For Caldwell, that experience is accompanied by existing relationships within the backroom team. The Latics manager knows Gilks through their time in Scotland camps and highlighted the familiar faces he will be working alongside.
Caldwell backs Gilks’ character
Speaking in the club’s announcement, Caldwell said:
“It’s a really difficult situation for this to happen and have to replace someone, and the way it’s happened, but Gillo (Matt Gilks) is someone I’ve known for a while and through Scotland camps.
“A lot of the staff know him; Pete worked with him at a certain team up the road, Perks has played with him, and so has Cal Mac, and we needed someone with his character and personality, and I’m sure he will do really well.”
Gilks joins the coaching staff as preparations continue for Reading’s visit to The Brick Community Stadium on Saturday.