JEWELL 'SURPRISED' AT MAGPIES LINK
Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell has laughed off speculation
linking him with the vacant job at Newcastle United.
Jewell is preparing his side for Sunday's Carling Cup final against
Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium.
The Magpies are currently managerless following the sacking of
Graeme Souness, although under caretaker Glenn Roeder have won
three and drawn one of their four matches.
"I'm surprised, but I've a job to do at Wigan. I enjoy my job
here," Jewell told Radio Five Live from his hotel base near
Cardiff.
"There are all sorts of rumours flying around linking different
people, but I tend to take no notice of rumours because that's all
they are."
There are suggestions Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd held
tentative talks with Wigan supremo Dave Whelan while playing golf
in Barbados this week.
"I spoke to my chairman two days ago, and he is in Barbados, but he
never mentioned playing golf with anyone from Newcastle," said
Jewell.
Whelan has previously made it clear he would only allow Jewell to
leave if one of the 'big three' clubs came calling - Manchester
United, Arsenal or Liverpool.
Jewell, who concedes to 'over-achieving' this season with Wigan, is
ambitious.
"I have said I would like to be the manager of a team that is
challenging for the top honours," added Jewell.
"Yet here I am at Wigan playing for one of the big three trophies
in English football.
"Of course, you want to achieve what you can in football and if you
said I could achieve what Alex Ferguson has achieved, that would be
fantastic."
