Wigan have announced that Shaun Edwards will not return to the club to take up the role of head coach in 2020.

Edwards, who initially agreed a three-year contract in August 2018, is now set to stay on the coaching staff of the Welsh rugby union team.

Edwards said: "After much thought and deliberation, I wish to clarify my situation. I will not be taking up the head coaching role at Wigan, the reason being my lack of preparation."

Edwards, who won every domestic trophy during a 15-year career with his home-town club, added: "World Cup preparations have been brought forward a month and, as a result, I will be unable to spend eight weeks in Australia as planned on rugby league.

"I feel Wigan need a more experienced rugby league head coach than myself, to give the club and the people of Wigan the best team possible.

"The Wigan deal I recently received is very favourable to all other offers I have had so far. For me, this is not about money, this is about Wigan Warriors getting the best man for the job which, at the moment, I feel is not me."

Edwards' about-turn leaves Wigan without a head coach for 2020.

Another former player, Adrian Lam, took on the job on an interim basis following the departure of the long-serving Shaun Wane at the end of last season, but is working on a 12-month contract.

Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan said: "For us now our next steps are to confirm the coaching structure for 2020 and beyond and draw a line under the last few months and give our loyal fans the clarity they deserve.

"I'd like to thank our supporters for their patience and understanding in what has proven to be a very difficult situation to navigate and now we can concentrate on building more strong foundations to drive this wonderful club forward. We will announce our plans in due course."