"Wigan did make an approach for Paul but it was rejected out of hand," said Bulls spokesman Stuart Duffy.

"We have made it quite clear that we will not be selling any players."

Noble has managed to sign his former Bradford assistant coach Phil Veivers though, with Andrew Farrar departing to make way for the ex-St Helens player.

I'm looking forward to the challenge and very confident we can improve Phil Veivers

Veivers, 41, quit Bradford over the weekend and takes up his new role at the JJB Stadium immediately, concentrating on defensive matters.

Farrar, the former St George head coach who played for Wigan in the 1990s, joined the club in February 2005 to assist Denis Betts during Mike Gregory's absence through illness.

Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay said: "We have given Brian Noble a totally free hand to restructure his backroom staff in any way he sees fit and Phil is his first appointment.

"We will finalise matters with Andrew, who does not want to leave until his children have finished the current school term which goes on until the end of June. We fully understand this.

"Any further restructuring will be up to Brian and we will support him in whatever he wants to do."

Veivers said: "I'm looking forward to the challenge. This is a massive club and I live close to Wigan. I am very confident we can improve."

Steve McNamara, Noble's other former assistant at Bradford, took over as head coach at Odsal and the Bulls insist they have candidates lined up to fill the other two vacancies.

Noble has already signed former Bradford centre Nathan McAvoy as he bids to lift the Warriors off the foot of the Super League table.

Bradford scrum-half Paul Deacon and loose forward Jamie Langley were also thought to be high on his wish list.