There was too much dead wood, and I had to shake it up, but I tried to do it overnight. On the day England played Germany and won 5-1, Wigan went bottom of the Second Division. Then we went to Wrexham and lost 5-1 ourselves in the Auto Windscreens or LDV Vans or whatever it was called. I heard the whispers - 'Jewell won't be long at Wigan" - and I was at a low ebb I'd come here and felt the club was in decline. I don't want to knock him, because he gave me my first job in management, but I didn't like justifying every decision That's why I left Here, I run the whole thing The chairman's been great. I judge people by how they are when the chips are down, and when they've been down, he's come up for me. But the manager insists that the chairman, a former top-flight footballer himself, never interferes in playing matters."Geoffrey Richmond at Bradford did.
He has questioned my honesty, and he's right to do so, but you've also got to be honest with yourself. I can't pick someone for a quiet life."Not that a quiet life would be likely in any circumstances, with the outspoken, charismatic Dave Whelan, multimillionaire owner of JJB Sports, as his boss. I'd be crucified."Jewell might not share Reid's weaknesses, but he certainly shares his strengths. "Honesty," he says, when I ask him what his managerial trademarks are "I think I know a player.
I like my players to enjoy coming to work, and I think I'm honest with them. Having said that, when Mike Pollitt came from Rotherham, I told him he'd be No 2, but if he got a chance and played well, he'd stay in. Then John Filan got injured, Polly come in and did well, but I left him out when John was fit. But if it's not..."Then what? Could it be that I'm talking to a future England manager? "No, I can rule meself out now It would never appeal to me.