Opinion: Jewell rules out Wigan return
The former Wigan boss was described by chairman Dave Whelan as his number one choice but Jewell conceded that his time at Wigan was over and it was time to move on, "He made me an absolutely fantastic offer, an unbelievable offer, but I've had my time there," he told BBC Radio 5 Live, "I'm ready to come back to work but I'm not for Wigan."
Jewell left the JJB outfit in May, the day after he saved the club from relegation saying he needed a break from football. His replacement and former assistant Chris Hutchings was dismissed from his post last Monday.
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Jewell has dismissed rumours that he had received death threats from the Wigan fans against his appointment but has admitted that reading on internet forums how against his appointment some fans were, was a big disappointment: "At no point did I say my family or I had been threatened; I stated that (on internet message boards and radio phone-ins) a number of fans had given me "stick" and "abuse" about my record as manager and I stated that I found this baffling and disappointing given what was achieved at the club during my time in charge."
As a Wigan fan, I was chuffed to bits when Jewell didn't return but I wouldn't say no to our other former manager Steve Bruce.
As a Wigan fan, I was chuffed to bits when Jewell didn't return but I wouldn't say no to our other former manager Steve Bruce.
Although Jewell is a Latics legend, his time was up at Wigan and walking away was a really big thing to do. Coming back was the wrong way to go and he knew it. It isn't ungrateful saying we don't want him back, it's common sense. Jewell had a great record here but looked slightly out of his depth last year. He took us from the third tier to the Premier League and that will never be forgotten.
I was worried that if he came back, he would ruin his reputation. I've heard he turned down an offer of 50 grand a week with a 3 million pound signing on fee. This is fantastic. It shows his integrity and belief.
Paul Jewell is always welcome at Wigan and he is our greatest ever manager. Someone would have to win the league with us to even come close to what he's achieved. Good Luck Paul, the whole of Wigan will be keeping an eye on wherever you go!
Meantime, a host of other names have been thrown in the hat with Steve Bruce now emerging as favourite. Bruce, another of Wigan's former managers, became odds on yesterday as Birmingham admitted they had received an approach from the Latics to speak to their manager.
Bruce's future in the midlands is in doubt with new owner Carson Yeung being rumoured to want a new manager. The former Manchester United defender had a brief spell at Wigan in 2001 before Paul Jewell took over, taking them to the Play-off semi final where they lost to Reading. Bruce eventually opted to join Crystal Palace and walked away from Wigan.
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