Teamtalk.com - Jewell Ready for Comeback

[Fat Ron]

The former Bradford and Sheffield Wednesday boss left the Latics at the end of last season after saving them from Premier League relegation, saying he needed a break from the game.

But now, with speculation raging that he's wanted back at The JJB following the departure of Chris Hutchings, he has confirmed that he is ready to work again.

In his column in Metro he said: "Let me make it quite clear - I have had no contact with chairman Dave Whelan these past few days or anyone else at the club for that matter.

"But, after six months away from management, I am ready and willing to return to work.

"Any offers that come my way I will consider and I firmly believe that I will return to football refreshed and a better manager.

"A lot of rubbish was written when I left Wigan in May. Some people said I had cracked up following the pressure of our relegation battle.

"What a load of garbage. I just felt after six years of working in this job I needed a break as it consumes you 24/7.

"Talk of me returning to Wigan is a little awkward because me andd Chris (Hutchings) are good friends.

"I am doubly disappointed it has not worked out for him because of our relationship and the fact I recommended him for the job when I left the club."

Wigan are currently third from bottom of the Premier League, with just eight points from 12 games.

Hutchings' departure on Monday came on the back of six consecutive defeats.

Where will he end up.... Here or Wigan???

[Master Fox]

It won't be here that's for sure

[SamL]

Former boss Paul Jewell says he would consider a return to Wigan but insists he has not been asked.

Jewell, who remains good friends with Latics chairman Dave Whelan, has been heavily linked with the job since Chris Hutchings was sacked on Monday.

He told Metro newspaper: "I'm surprised to learn I have been offered my old job back. I've had no contact with Wigan.

"But after six months away I am ready and willing to return to work. I will consider any offers that come my way."

Jewell resigned as Wigan boss in May - less than 24 hours after saving the Premier League club from relegation on the final day of the season.

He claimed he was absolutely drained and needed a break from football.

The 43-year-old joined had been in charge of Wigan for six years and in that time guided the club 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.

606: DEBATE

Who should be the new Wigan boss?

Wigan surprised many by finishing 10th in their first Premiership season - and they also reached the Carling Cup final.

Jewell admitted at the time of his resignation that it was extremely difficult to walk away from Wigan and it now seems he might be putting himself back in the frame.

He revealed: "I needed a break as the job consumes you 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"I firmly believe I will return to football refreshed and a better manager.

"Talk of me returning to Wigan is a little awkward because me and Chris Hutchings are really good friends.

"I am doubly disappointed it has not worked out for him because of our relationship and the fact I recommended him for the job.

"I haven't spoken to him yet, as want to let things die down a bit before I call him.

"In the meantime I'm going to continue enjoying playing golf until I get a better offer."

Jewell has also been linked with the jobs at Leicester City and, before Gary Megson was appointed, at Bolton Wanderers.

Other names being touted as candidates for the Wigan job are Graeme Souness, Peter Reid, Joe Royle, Alex McLeish and Swansea City's Spanish manager Roberto Martinez.

But Wigan caretaker-manager Frank Barlow has ruled himself out of the running to take the job on a permanent basis.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/t...tic/7082416.stm

[Monk]

Don't think we're getting him to be honest.

Simon Grayson, come on down

[STUHILL]

That makes it even harder to take, if he is actually looking for a Job, but still not interested in us?!?!! What is so bloody wrong with Leicester? Last I looked, we were a big and well supported club with great stadium and facilities, now with a new ambitious fairly rich chairman....

[The People's Hero]

That makes it even harder to take, if he is actually looking for a Job, but still not interested in us?!?!! What is so bloody wrong with Leicester? Last I looked, we were a big and well supported club with great stadium and facilities, now with a new ambitious fairly rich chairman....

Let's develop that thought process a little further.

[Raj]

We got as much chance of Jewell being our Manager than i have of being Heavyweight Champion of the world.(Undisputed at that!)

[step]

Let's develop that thought process a little further.

Why do you think Jewel is not interested in us

[ronnup]

It'll be harsh to take if he's not interested.

[Bojimha]

Before he took over Wigan they were in a worse position then ourselves so why wouldn't he come here? It's not as if he is used to working at Chelsea or Arsenal etc!

[lee7]

it's wierd that he says he is ready to get back into manageing when wigan say that they are interested in taking him back but says nothing when we are interested in him being the manager of leicester.

[Ozwin]

I think he'll come here. Seriously, I'm good with these things.

Him and Hutchings with Taggs and the old fella playing some part in the action.

[Matt]

I think he's basically making the call for Wigan to approach him, but this is Milan's chance, Even if Milan goes or even has gone already to try and get Jewell and Jewell has turned us down let us know, At least if Milan comes out makes a statement saying he has tried to get him i'll be happy at least we'll know he's tried to get him.

Personally he's always been unrealistic but he's always been top of my list.

[Moreton]

Jewell wont go back to Wigan no chance, Pierce or Souness will go to Wigan.