Post by Just GLC™ on Nov 5, 2007 13:20:03 GMT -5
Wigan have begun the search for their third manager in seven months after parting company with Chris Hutchings.
Paul Jewell's former assistant boss left the Latics on Monday morning due to the club's poor start to the Barclays Premier League season.
Wigan slipped into the bottom three after Chelsea condemned them to a sixth successive defeat on Saturday and left them with just eight points from 12 league games.
A statement from chairman Dave Whelan read: "This has been a very difficult decision for me and the board to make but I felt we had to act in the best interests of the football club and its long-term future.
"Having been so close to the team and such a big part of the success, I felt Chris deserved to be given the chance to take over as number one last summer and receive full backing from myself and the board to shape the team as he wished.
"Chris has worked very hard since becoming manager and I cannot fault his effort and commitment to the cause.
"However, it is crucial for the development of Wigan Athletic that we maintain our Premier League status this season and, following results and performances in recent matches, we feel it is critical to act now."
Under Jewell, Wigan were promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history in 2005 and finished 10th as well as reaching the Carling Cup final in their first season.
Last term proved more problematic, however, and they survived relegation only with victory over Sheffield United on the final day.
Jewell resigned after the game to take a break from football and the club immediately moved to elevate his assistant Hutchings to the top job.
It was Hutchings' second managerial posting after he also succeeded Jewell at Bradford in 2000, which proved a similarly short stint.
Hutchings made 10 signings in the summer in a bid to ensure the Latics consolidated their position but they have had little joy since winning two of their opening three games.
Hutchings was sad to leave but insists he can look back on his time at the club with great satisfaction.
He said: "I am immensely proud of what has been achieved at Wigan Athletic during my time here; two promotions, a cup final and three successive seasons so far in the top flight of English football - and hopefully many more in the future.
"It's a journey we have been on together since the summer of 2001 and can only be described as a real-life football fairytale.
"When I was given the opportunity to manage this club, I had no hesitation in taking on the challenge.
"I believe I have assembled an excellent bunch of players, a superb squad of professionals, and I still firmly believe that over time they will prove their worth and push this club to the next level. My only regret is that I will not be here to see that progression reach its summit."
Former Liverpool, Blackburn and Newcastle boss Graeme Souness has emerged as the early favourite to replace Hutchings but the Scot is also thought to be interested in the Republic of Ireland job. Jewell is again likely to be linked with vacancy.
Whelan added: "My energies will now be fully focused on getting the right man, firstly to stop the decline we have suffered in the last two months or so, and secondly, to take us forward in the future.
"This search will be exhaustive and I will not be commenting on any names or speculation until I have found the man I want."
Hutchings is the fourth Premier League manager to leave his job this season after Jose Mourinho, Sammy Lee and Martin Jol.
Wigan assistant boss Frank Barlow, along with Mark Seagraves, will take over as caretaker manager for Sunday's trip to Tottenham.
Swansea boss Roberto Martinez has dismissed speculation linking him with the job.
Martinez said: "You can't stop speculation, I had six fantastic years at Wigan and Mr (Dave) Whelan (the Wigan owner) was the reason we [he, Jesus Seba and Isidro Diaz] came over from Spain at the time.
"We've been through many difficult and good times with the football club and I think that's always part of the speculation when situations like this arise. So I don't see anything else from that point."
Credit - orange.co.uk/football365.com
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wonder who they'll go for to replace him...
cant see Jol goin...isnt he supposed to be goin to ajax anyway?
Paul Jewell's former assistant boss left the Latics on Monday morning due to the club's poor start to the Barclays Premier League season.
Wigan slipped into the bottom three after Chelsea condemned them to a sixth successive defeat on Saturday and left them with just eight points from 12 league games.
A statement from chairman Dave Whelan read: "This has been a very difficult decision for me and the board to make but I felt we had to act in the best interests of the football club and its long-term future.
"Having been so close to the team and such a big part of the success, I felt Chris deserved to be given the chance to take over as number one last summer and receive full backing from myself and the board to shape the team as he wished.
"Chris has worked very hard since becoming manager and I cannot fault his effort and commitment to the cause.
"However, it is crucial for the development of Wigan Athletic that we maintain our Premier League status this season and, following results and performances in recent matches, we feel it is critical to act now."
Under Jewell, Wigan were promoted to the top flight for the first time in their history in 2005 and finished 10th as well as reaching the Carling Cup final in their first season.
Last term proved more problematic, however, and they survived relegation only with victory over Sheffield United on the final day.
Jewell resigned after the game to take a break from football and the club immediately moved to elevate his assistant Hutchings to the top job.
It was Hutchings' second managerial posting after he also succeeded Jewell at Bradford in 2000, which proved a similarly short stint.
Hutchings made 10 signings in the summer in a bid to ensure the Latics consolidated their position but they have had little joy since winning two of their opening three games.
Hutchings was sad to leave but insists he can look back on his time at the club with great satisfaction.
He said: "I am immensely proud of what has been achieved at Wigan Athletic during my time here; two promotions, a cup final and three successive seasons so far in the top flight of English football - and hopefully many more in the future.
"It's a journey we have been on together since the summer of 2001 and can only be described as a real-life football fairytale.
"When I was given the opportunity to manage this club, I had no hesitation in taking on the challenge.
"I believe I have assembled an excellent bunch of players, a superb squad of professionals, and I still firmly believe that over time they will prove their worth and push this club to the next level. My only regret is that I will not be here to see that progression reach its summit."
Former Liverpool, Blackburn and Newcastle boss Graeme Souness has emerged as the early favourite to replace Hutchings but the Scot is also thought to be interested in the Republic of Ireland job. Jewell is again likely to be linked with vacancy.
Whelan added: "My energies will now be fully focused on getting the right man, firstly to stop the decline we have suffered in the last two months or so, and secondly, to take us forward in the future.
"This search will be exhaustive and I will not be commenting on any names or speculation until I have found the man I want."
Hutchings is the fourth Premier League manager to leave his job this season after Jose Mourinho, Sammy Lee and Martin Jol.
Wigan assistant boss Frank Barlow, along with Mark Seagraves, will take over as caretaker manager for Sunday's trip to Tottenham.
Swansea boss Roberto Martinez has dismissed speculation linking him with the job.
Martinez said: "You can't stop speculation, I had six fantastic years at Wigan and Mr (Dave) Whelan (the Wigan owner) was the reason we [he, Jesus Seba and Isidro Diaz] came over from Spain at the time.
"We've been through many difficult and good times with the football club and I think that's always part of the speculation when situations like this arise. So I don't see anything else from that point."
Credit - orange.co.uk/football365.com
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wonder who they'll go for to replace him...
cant see Jol goin...isnt he supposed to be goin to ajax anyway?
all at Newcastle. =[
