Wigan chairman Dave Whelan insists Paul Jewell will not be heading for Manchester City but will instead take ''six months off'' after his shock resignation as manager.

Jewell resigned less than 24 hours after Wigan had escaped relegation with their dramatic 2-1 win at Sheffield United sending the Blades down instead.

But as Whelan was announcing Jewell's departure and the appointment of his assistant Chris Hutchins as replacement, the news came through to the JJB Stadium that Manchester City had sacked Stuart Pearce.

Whelan took a second to reply, but said: ''Stuart Pearce is unlucky, he is a good lad and a good manager. I don't know the reasons why he has been sacked and I don't want to know.

''If Manchester City were to go for Paul Jewell, I would be very surprised. I would say, 'don't waste your time' because Paul is a man of his word.

''I asked him a straightforward question: 'have you been tapped up by another club?' And his answer was: 'on my children's lives I have not been approached by another club, and I will not be going to another club. I love it at Wigan and I am sorry to be resigning. But for my health I have got to do it.'

''I could feel it, I could see it coming since Christmas. I have seen Paul's health deteriorate, and he needs a break.''

Jewell said in a statement: ''I have made this decision with a heavy heart, but I feel it is time to have a break from football.

''I have given everything I have as a person to bringing success here over the past six years and it is not an easy thing to walk away from somewhere and something which has been such a part of your life for so long.

''The intensity of football at the highest level, although completely addictive, is also very draining, and I feel I would be kidding the chairman, my players and the supporters if I was to carry on without being able to put in the energy and dedication I know is required to be successful at this level.

''I would like to thank Dave Whelan for all his help and support over the years, I could not have asked to work with a better with a better chairman.

''Our relationship has been a key factor in the success we've shared. He has never once put me under pressure, has always backed me to the hilt."