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Jewell quits Wigan despite surviving nail-biting last day

Paul Jewell resigned as manager of Wigan yesterday, 24 hours after the club secured its Premiership status with a nail-biting win over Sheffield United.

Wigan, who confirmed the decision to the BBC, had scheduled a press conference for 3pm to provide further details of a move which had been widely predicted.

According to reports, the 42-year-old had decided to leave the club because he felt he could not take Wigan any further after two seasons in the Premiership.

The 2-1 win over Sheffield United ensured the Premiership's smallest club remained in the top flight but Jewell's departure means they will start next season among the favorites for relegation.

Jewell is expected to seek a job at a bigger club and is seen as the leading candidate to take over at Manchester City, who are expected to sack Stuart Pearce after their disappointing season ended with a 2-1 defeat by Tottenham.

When Jewell joined Wigan in 2001, they were in the third tier of English football.

He secured promotion to Championship as winners of that division in 2002-03 and two years later took Wigan into the top flight.

Under Jewell, Wigan defied predictions they would struggle by finishing 10th in their first season in the Premiership.

But they could not sustain that form and a poor run towards the end of this campaign saw them enter the final weekend as favorites to go down with Charlton and Watford.

Although Wigan have been generously bankrolled by their chairman Dave Whelan, the club have struggled to fill their JJB Stadium this season suggesting their current level of success may be unsustainable.

Also see story:
Sheffield United go down, West Ham stay afloat

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