Jewell rejects Latics return

 Jewell led Wigan to promotion and then through two seasons in the top flight, before quitting in May after a dramatic last-day victory over Sheffield United that saved the club from relegation.

 He was replaced by his assistant, Chris Hutchings, but he lasted just 12 games before being sacked with Wigan in the relegation zone.

 There had been speculation that Jewell would come back, possibly even with Hutchings as his assistant again, but the club revealed that chairman Dave Whelan's attempts to lure Jewell back had failed.

 "Paul has made it clear he doesn't want the post," a club spokesman. "But it made sense to ask him because of the unique relationship he has with the chairman.

 "Dave asked Paul if he would come back and he thought about it but decided it was not for him. They did not get into any contractual discussions.

 "There are still a lot of decent applicants and it's a wide open field and we're still confident we will have a new manager in place by our next game."

   Wigan's next match is away to Arsenal on November 24.

DPA