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Jewell and Hutchings reunited at Derby County

25/04/2008

Former Wigan Athletic manager Chris Hutchings has been named as Paul Jewell's new assistant at relegated Derby County.

The pair worked together for several years at the JJB Stadium, as well as in Jewell's time as Bradford City boss in 2000 when the club won promotion to the Premier League for the first time in its history.

Hutchings succeeded Jewell on both occasions, but both times he was sacked after only a matter of months in charge.

He lost his job as Latics manager last November after a poor start to the season threatened the club's top-flight status. He was replaced by former Birmingham City boss Steve Bruce, who has since guided the club to 13th.

Despite Hutchings' apparent failures as the top man at two different clubs, Jewell said he is "delighted" to team up with his former number two again at Pride Park.

"Chris is a football man through and through and he lives to be on the training ground," Jewell explained.

"He understands footballers and what makes them tick - he's a people person and tactically there are few better than him.

"We have struck up a great understanding over the years and I'm delighted he has agreed to come on board.

"Our main task now is to put together a squad capable and in the right frame of mind to launch a promotion campaign next season for Derby County."

Hutchings said he had jumped at the chance to rejoin Jewell in a managerial role following his disappointing early departure from the JJB Stadium last year and was keen to get back to work.

"When Paul got back in touch, I was delighted to join up with him again," he said.

"Football is a game based on trust and when you build up relationships over time, these can be invaluable."

Hutchings said he believes Derby is a club with "incredible" potential and stated his confidence that the new management team would be able to repeat the feat of achieving promotion to the Premier League with a third different club.

"There is an ambitious chairman backed by totally committed new owners, a manager with a proven track record, a great stadium filled every week by a magnificent support base and, most importantly, there is a core of good players here whose confidence has been badly shaken but who I'm certain can regroup in the summer and start fulfilling their potential," he enthused.

"The ingredients are all here and I'm looking forward to getting back to work."

Hutchings is a direct replacement for Jewell's former assistant Stan Ternent, who was appointed as the new Huddersfield Town boss yesterday.