Wigan rule out Jones Swansea move

Last updated : 13 July 2010 By BBC Sport

"Wigan Athletic would like to confirm that Graeme Jones is looking forward to the new season," said a statement.

"He remains deeply committed to carrying on his work at the club alongside manager Roberto Martinez and the rest of the coaching staff."

Jones, 40, left the Swans last summer to continue as Martinez's assistant when the Spaniard took charge at Wigan Athletic.

During his time in south Wales, he enjoyed winning promotion from League One in 2008 as champions and, in their first season back at Championship level, the Swans flirted with the play-offs.

Jones was known to be a popular figure around the Liberty Stadium and was understood to have turned down the chance to succeed Martinez last year before opting to follow him to the Premier League.

"Media speculation over the weekend would suggest that Jones is a front runner for the vacant manager's position at his former club Swansea City," the statement on

Wigan's website

continued.

"But the club can confirm that Jones is fully concentrated on taking the team through pre-season and into Latics' new Barclays Premier League campaign."

Jones is the latest name to be ruled out of the race after Exeter City's Paul Tisdale and Hamilton Academicals boss Billy Reid turned down the chance to speak to the Swans.

Sheffield United have twice blocked moves for permission to speak to ex-Wales captain Gary Speed who is on the coaching staff at Bramall Lane.

Of other names linked to the post, Brighton manager Gus Poyet has distanced himself as has ex-Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate, while Bournemouth have warned the Swans off boss Eddie Howe.

Scunthorpe United's Nigel Adkins has been one of the favourites, with Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke also briefly linked.

But former Reading and Watford manager Brendan Rodgers is emerging as one of the leading candidates according to two bookmakers.

Bristol Rovers boss Paul Trollope - one of the names mentioned by Swans chairman Huw Jenkins as the type of manager his is looking for - is also creeping up the list, although the club say there has been no contact.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport