Jewell fury over Wigan 'threats'

Paul Jewell revealed he has received threats from sections of Wigan's support since turning down a return to the Premier League club.

Jewell said he was offered a 'king's ransom' to return to the JJB Stadium but rejected the post because he felt he had already taken the club as far as he could.

Although Jewell refused to divulge the contract offer, it is believed chairman Dave Whelan was ready to pay him more than £40,000 a week plus a £1million bonus if he kept Wigan in the top flight.

The 43-year-old Liverpudlian, who left Wigan in May following their last-day escape from relegation, told the Metro: "Some people have been saying I was using Wigan as a crutch to find another job and prostituting myself for work. That is a slur on my character.

"I was offered a king's ransom to return to Wigan by [chairman] Dave Whelan - enough to set me and my family up for life - and it would have been easy to take the money.

"But when I left Wigan, I said I'd taken them as far as I could and I stand by that."

Referring specifically to the threats, Jewell added: "Some of the abuse I have put up with from some Wigan fans has been of a personal nature and I want to protect my family. That's why I want to set the record straight.

"I took the club up from the third tier of English football and left them in the Premier League. But myself and some fans will never get on because I left last summer. It's sad but that's football."