Jewell gives a firm refusal to Wigan comeback

Wigan's increasingly difficult search for a new manager was back to square one on Monday night after it emerged that former boss Paul Jewell had rejected the offer of a lucrative return to the club.

Dave Whelan, the Premier League club's owner and chairman, had hoped Jewell might return until the end of the season at least to try to drag Wigan away from the relegation zone.

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But Sportsmail understands Jewell has said no to Whelan and has chosen instead to continue his break from the game — which began when he quit at the end of last season — while he waits for opportunities elsewhere in the Premier League.

This has left Whelan, currently in Barbados, in a quandary as he again considers previous candidates such as Graeme Souness, Joe Royle, Iain Dowie and Steve Bruce.

Although Souness and Royle have top-flight experience, neither has the knowledge of the club that Jewell has and Whelan knows that whoever he hires must be able to effect dramatic change instantly.

Whelan, due back next week, has made it known that a new manager will have money to spend in the January transfer window as he looks to overhaul the current squad and inject fresh momentum into their season.

Royle and Souness remain keen on the job but could find themselves at a club rock bottom in the table by the time an appointment is made. Wigan were woeful in their 4-0 drubbing at Tottenham on Sunday and face Arsenal next before games with Manchester City and Bolton.

Souness, who was also in the frame for Bolton job, said: 'I am interested. It is a good job but it is up to Wigan to decide what they want to do.'

Royle, also on Leicester's short-list, is up for 'one last big challenge' after a 15-month break and has a good track record of guiding clubs out of trouble.

He knows Wigan general manager John Benson well, having worked with him at Norwich, and Benson has been charged with formulating the list of candidates for Whelan's perusal.

It had been thought possible that Jewell and his former assistant Chris Hutchings, sacked as manager eight days ago, might return in tandem to rescue Wigan.

Jewell, however, has already turned down Bolton this season and has his eyes on slightly bigger clubs. He has been linked with Middlesbrough but chairman Steve Gibson has reiterated his support for manager Gareth Southgate.

Hutchings, meanwhile, remains a little disappointed at the manner of his sacking, especially given that Whelan followed his dismissal by suggesting that he might want to do some scouting for the club.