Jagger deserves better than Wigan (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Jagger deserves better than Wigan

10:34am Friday 16th November 2007

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They say you should never go back.
Stuart McCall may beg to differ but football is sprinkled with tales of those who have returned to scenes of former glory and never rekindled that success.
Paul Jewell was right to reject a “fabulous” offer to take up the Wigan hot-seat still warm from his departure at the end of last season.
Having steered the unfashionable Latics through two divisions to the Premiership and then kept them there, his place in Wigan history is assured. Why spoil that now?
Wigan’s position will never change: survival is all that matters.
The crowds are unlikely to improve so the club will always struggle to attract top-notch players. Something will give, whether it’s this season or next, and they will drop again.
The appointment of Chris Hutchings was a case of misplaced loyalty on behalf of owner Dave Whelan. His plan to bring back Jewell – with Hutchings, no doubt, installed as number two – is a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted.
Jewell, his reputation at an all-time high from staying up with Wigan six months ago, will not be short of offers. He can do better than the JJB.
Where next then for ‘Jagger’? He has been strongly linked with the Republic of Ireland job but if he decides to stay in club management then my money is on Derby, where Billy Davies must be on the same odds to last until Christmas as any Bernard Matthews turkey.
When Adam Pearson tried to buy Leeds, the Yorkshire football grapevine suggested Jewell was the manager he wanted to take with him. What’s stopping Derby’s new owner doing the same in the East Midlands?