Following the sudden departure of manager Steve Bruce at the end of the season, Paul Jewell was appointed as his replacement.
Following the departures of several players from the previous season, Jewell spent heavily in the summer in an attempt to build a squad capable of gaining promotion.
[1] At the end of the season, defender Arjan de Zeeuw turned down a new contract at the club and left on a free transfer to join First Division side Portsmouth.
[24] Results improved following a 6–1 win against Stoke City in November, and the club eventually finished in a mid-table position.
Wigan played at home against non-league club Canvey Island in the first round of the FA Cup.