Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan says he's remaining in charge following relegation.

The 76-year-old bought the club in 1995 when they were in the fourth tier and, despite talk that he was considering taking a step back from the club, he is determined to steer them back into the Premier League.

"We're out of the Premier League, my priority is one thing: Get Wigan Athletic back in the Premier League," he said.

"If I was thinking of stepping off a little next year that's been put on ice now, I'm back and I'm back 110 per cent behind Wigan Athletic.

"I've one ambition now left in my life and that is to get Wigan back in the Premier League."