Paul Jewell hopes to be able to prove he is a better manager having returned to football with Derby after a six-month sabbatical.
Jewell was named as Billy Davies' successor after a whirlwind 24 hours began with a phonecall from Rams chairman Adam Pearson and ended with him being unveiled at Pride Park this morning.
Having quit Wigan in May after keeping them in the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United on the final day of last season, Jewell could not resist the challenge offered by Derby.
And he believes he has benefited from the break, dismissing suggestions he left the Latics because he could not handle the pressure of managing in the top flight.
"I was never ill. I was never in a straitjacket as some people might have thought," said the 43-year-old.
"All I wanted to do was walk away from Wigan with my head held high.
"There were absolutely no health reasons. I just wanted a rest from football and I'm not ashamed to say that.
"I enjoyed my time and I'm refreshed and hopefully I can come back a better manager.
"I've taken my time out of football to reflect on how I can get better. That time has not just been spent playing golf, as some people might think, I've done a lot of travelling and watched a lot of football to try to improve myself as a manager."
Jewell, who turned down a couple of offers to return to management during his time away from the game, has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract and stressed he considers Derby a long-term project.
However, with the team bottom of the Barclays Premier League with just six points he knows he must first focus on survival.
Derby's plight is not as bad as it could be as although they have won only once in 14 matches, such is the poor standard in the lower half of the table they are only four points from safety.
Jewell certainly thinks he can pull off another great escape - having achieved it with Bradford and Wigan already in the top flight.
"If I don't believe it, if the players don't believe it, if the fans don't believe it we have no chance," he said.
"It's going to be very difficult - I'm a realist - but I'm not here to wave the white flag with 20-odd games to go. We're not adrift."
Jewell will meet his new squad for the first time at training tomorrow and will leave them in no doubt as to what he expects in order to rescue the club from falling back into the Coca-Cola Championship after one season in the top flight.
"You are starting with a clean piece of paper and it's up to you to prove you should be in the team and are good enough to play in the Premier League," was his message to the players.
"As long as the players give everything they have got you can't ask for any more. But I won't be asking that I will be demanding it and I'm sure I will get that response from the players.
"We have to work together and try to get out of the mess."
There will be money available to strengthen the squad in the transfer window - something predecessor Davies had been vociferous about - and Jewell does have his targets.
However, he will not be going on a spending spree just for the sake of it.
"People talk about the January window but you have to be careful about who you bring in," he added.
"I've got a decent portfolio of players we would like to bring in if available."
Paul Ince had been linked with the Pride Park job - his Coca-Cola League Two club MK Dons today issued a statement saying they rejected an approach from Derby - but the recently-installed Rams chairman claimed Jewell was the best man to replace Davies.
"Paul (Jewell) is a stand-out candidate with regard to managerial experience in both the Premier League and the Championship," said Pearson.
"I was very interested in Paul Ince but Milton Keynes didn't give us permission (to speak to him).
"In the end we needed that little bit of experience. I got a call from Paul Jewell's agent and my attention switched, but I think we should watch out for Paul Ince as a manager."
"I've taken time out of football to reflect on how I can get better. That time has not just been spent playing golf, I've done a lot of travelling and watched a lot of football.
"We're in a struggling situation but all is not lost and I'm here for the long term to try and get the club strong and upward and in the right direction.
"Every challenge is a big challenge - be it Bradford, Sheffield Wednesday or Wigan but this one really excites me. There is a lot of history in this football club but the history doesn't count for a lot these days.
"I think we can move the club forward."
Jewell insisted he had never had contact with chairman Adam Pearson before a phone call yesterday and was clear that nothing definite had yet been discussed regarding transfers.
That was a major bone of contention during the Davies era, but Jewell is wary of overspending in the next transfer window.
"The chairman called me yesterday, it was the first time I've spoken to him ever - despite what people might think.
"People always ask about money but we want to move forward, there will be money available if and when we want to strengthen.
"People talk about the January window but you have to be careful about who you bring in. I've watched a lot of matches and there's players I'd like to bring in if and when it is possible.
"Let January look after itself, we're looking now to Sunderland (on Saturday)."
But with the players on a day off today Jewell will have to wait until tomorrow to work with his new squad.
Jewell added: "I'm looking forward to getting on the training pitch again.
"Sunderland's another game, a very crucial six-pointer if you like."
Jewell claimed all of the current Derby players would be given an even chance to impress.
He said: "You are starting with a clean piece of paper and it's up to you to prove you are good enough to be in the team.
"As long as players give me 100% there won't be a problem."
Pearson claimed Jewell was the best candidate to replace Davies.
"Paul is a stand-out candidate with regard to managerial experience in both the Premier League and the Championship.
"But it's the Premier League where we are now and I couldn't think of a better man to lead us into battle.
"We are delighted Paul is with us to face Sunderland."
