Jewell quits as manager of Derby County

DERBY, England (AP) -- Derby manager Paul Jewell has resigned after his 50th league game in charge ended in the 30th defeat of his reign.

The 1-0 home loss to Ipswich on Sunday left Derby 18th in the 24-team League Championship, further hampering its bid for a quick return to the Premier League.

"It is disappointing. We had a chat after the game and Paul felt it was in the best interests if the club went in a different direction," Adam Pearson, Derby's chairman of football, said Monday. "It's been a long year and it has taken its toll and we must now move forward without him."

Jewell took charge on a 3½-year contract last November with Derby rooted to the bottom of the Premier League.

The Rams stayed there for the rest of the season and were relegated in May with a record-low total of 11 points after Jewell failed to win any of his 24 league matches.

"There was a big hangover at the start of the season but Paul did everything in his power to get rid of that," Pearson said.

The 44-year-old Jewell, who previously spent six seasons at Wigan, didn't see his fortunes improve in the second-tier League Championship, with his side taking five matches to register a win.

He finally bowed to fans' demands and quit after Sunday's defeat left Derby with just one win in its last nine league matches.

Assistant manager Chris Hutchings takes temporary charge of the team.

Derby, which is owned by Michigan-based General Sports and Entertainment, is at Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup third round on Saturday and hosts Manchester United in the League Cup semifinals the following Wednesday.

"We are looking for Chris to buy us some time but if he gets some good performances and results he will put himself in the frame (for the job)," Pearson said.

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