Jewell after the win at Sheff Utd guaranteed Wigan's status in the top-flight

 

Paul Jewell has resigned as Wigan boss - less than 24 hours after saving the Premiership club from relegation on the final day of the season.

Jewell's exit comes after the drama of beating Sheffield United 2-1 on Sunday to ensure Wigan's top-flight status.

 

Jewell, 42, joined Wigan in June 2001 from Sheffield Wednesday.

 

He told the club's website: "I have made this decision with a heavy heart but I feel it is time for me to have a break from football."

 

Manchester City terminated the contract of manager Stuart Pearce just hours after Jewell's departure.

 

Jewell had been linked with the City post but did not comment on a future return to the game and instead seems to be planning time out of the sport to recharge his batteries.

 

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan also insisted Jewell had assured him he did not have another job lined up.

 

Jewell added: "I have given everything I have as a person to bringing success here over the past six years.

 

"It is not an easy thing to walk away from somewhere and something which has been such a part of your life for so long.

 

"The intensity of football at the highest level, although completely addictive, is also draining.

 

"I feel I would be kidding the chairman, my players and the supporters if I was to carry on without being able to put in the energy and dedication I know is required to be successful at this level."

 

Jewell guided The Latics to the League One title in 2002-03 and in 2004-05 they finished runners-up to Sunderland in the Championship to reach the top flight for the first time in their history.

 

Under Jewell, Wigan surprised many pundits by surviving comfortably in their first season, finishing 10th and also reaching the Carling Cup final.

 

Previously, Jewell had taken Bradford into the Premiership where he masterminded a similar last-day survival for the Bantams in 2000.

 

Jewell, who will be replaced by Chris Hutchings, also went on to pay tribute to the support given to him by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan in his time at the club.

 

Whelan offered Jewell a job for life at the JJB Stadium outfit last year but also said he would not stand in his manager's way if he had an offer from a bigger club.

 

Whelan revealed that Jewell's health and personal life had deteriorated in the last couple of months during the relegation battle.

 

And he added: "It was with great reluctance that I accepted Paul's resignation.

 

"It was his decision to leave. I believe Paul was the right man to carry this club forward.

 

"But he has decided that he has taken the club as far as he can and leave it for someone else to take over.

 

"I have to respect his decision because what Paul has done for this club is extraordinary."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/6653185.stm

Wigan name Hutchings as new boss

 

Hutchings (left) helped keep Wigan in the Premiership for a third season

 

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has appointed Chris Hutchings as the club's new manager following the resignation of Paul Jewell.

Hutchings steps up from his role as assistant manager under Jewell, who has decided to take a break from football.

 

He also succeeded Jewell at Bradford, but lasted less than five months after winning one of 12 Premiership games.

 

"He's one of the best and most knowledgable coaches in the Premiership," said Whelan.

 

"Chris has been with us for the last six years overseeing the revolution on the playing side that has occured here and he has experienced all the successes first hand.

 

"He and Paul worked very closely together and I know how highly Paul regarded him both as a motivator and as a coach.

 

"I also feel it is very important to have someone who understands this club, so that we can have continuity and start planning straight away for next season.

 

"There will be no delays now, and Chris can start working tomorrow, in the manager's chair.

 

"I feel Chris is the right person to progress the club into the next era.

 

"I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome him as manager and give him my assurance that he will have my full and total backing as we seek to stay in the Premiership for a fourth season and keep establishing this club in the best league in the world.

 

 

 

"He is a very, very capable manager. It didn't work out for him at Bradford but he has my full support and the support of the board and I will supply him with the funds.

 

"It's always a gamble when you go into the market for a manager. I've appointed about half a dozen and we have had a couple of good ones and some failures.

 

"I know Chris Hutchings and I know how good he is. I've every confidence he'll push us forward.

 

"There's going to be a few players going and a few coming. We haven't had a good season - we have had bad luck and bad decisions and it is has put Paul Jewell down."

 

The 49-year-old Hutchings was second in command when Jewell helped keep the unfancied Bradford in the top flight on the last day of the 1999-2000 season.

 

Jewell handed in his notice only days afterwards and Hutchings took over as manager.

 

They won their first four games - all in the Intertoto Cup - and then beat Chelsea in their second Premiership game of the season.

 

But that proved to be his only success in the league and after just 21 games and 137 days in charge he was dismissed with the club second bottom of the Premiership.

 

The Bantams were relegated that season and two of Hutchings' expensive signings - Italian striker Benito Carbone and former Liverpool man Stan Collymore - were blamed by some fans for the club's subsequent financial woe.

 

In a statement announcing his reasons for his exit Jewell thanked Hutchings for his help in keeping the club in the top flight for a third season.

 

He said: "I reserve a big thank you to my assistant Chris Hutchings who has been as loyal and hard-working a colleague as anyone could wish for."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wigan_athletic/6654861.stm

What's wrong with using the premiership thread?

um... 2006/07 has finished ;)

Fair point.

 

When the fizzy pop league has finished their play-offs, that thread can be locked and a new one can be created for transfer news.

agree...new season is coming!!!