“GOOD times are not too far away” – that’s the verdict of new Latics assistant manager Paul Jewell who was officially unveiled as Richie Wellens’ right-hand man at a Boundary Park press conference this morning.

The 53-year-old has been out of football since January, 2015, when he left West Brom after a brief spell as No.2 to Tony Pulis.

He has previously managed Ipswich – with Wellens in his midfield – Derby, Wigan, Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City. He won the League One title with Wigan in 2003 and went on to help them gain promotion to the Premier League two years later. He also led Bradford to the top flight in 1999.

Jewell said: “A role like this is something I think I can fulfil. I don’t want to be the manager.

“Richie is new to the job and he’s young like I was when I got my first managerial role, I think I was 32.

“When you look back, you’re never ready – you think you are but you’ve no idea what it entails, you wing it really. The key is having belief in yourself and Richie’s got that.

“I’m here to do what he wants me to do and to help him. I’m not here to take his job, that definitely won’t be happening.

“As a manager you have to make mistakes to learn from them but there’s some that are avoidable. If I can help Richie avoid those mistakes that I made, and that lots of managers make, I think I can help him in that way.

“There’s a bit of a void in football where we lose managers too quickly because they haven’t got enough help around them.

“But one thing is certain – he’s the boss, not me.”

As for getting out on the touchline again, Jewell admits it’s been a while but says he is ready for it – now that he has dusted off his boots.

He added: “It’s a wonderful opportunity for me and I’m really looking forward to working with all the lads and getting on the touchline again.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve done it – I found a pair of boots in the garage this morning and had to blow the mould off them!”

Jewell reckons there are a lot of positives at the club at this moment in time, especially when it comes to the quality of the players.

“This all came about pretty quickly,” he said.

“I was playing golf when I got the call. But that’s good because I’d rather come in from the outside like that so I can form my own opinion.

“I’ve watched a few games on video, there’s some good players here. The staff are enthusiastic so if you put it all together there’s a decent mix. Good times aren’t too far away.

“It’s a big secret in football, so don’t tell anyone – but if you’ve got good players you’ve got half a chance.”

Jewell also warned about the dangers of looking too far ahead, with Latics still in the lower reaches of the League One table.

He said: “Potential is a dangerous word in football. You can’t look too far forward. Likewise, you can’t live in a time warp and look too far back – you’ve got to live for the moment and for us it’s Southend away on Saturday.”

Paul Terry has been added to the backroom staff as first team coach and will also look after the reserves.

Terry said: “I always wanted to go into coaching and I’m really looking forward to it, it’s an exciting time and a good time to be here.

“I knew Richie from playing with him when we did our coaching badges together in Ireland. Sometimes you just hit it off with someone. We always said if one of us did get a job we would always see if the opportunity was there to take the other one.

“I’m still learning as Richie is. Hopefully I can lean on Paul too for his guidance and how he’s done things.

“Potential is there at this club but it’s getting players to do the right things on a consistent basis.”