Anthony Hayes explains how he took caretaker charge of Charlton Athletic – and gratitude to outgoing boss Ben Garner
Anthony Hayes has not been told how long he will be in caretaker charge of Charlton Athletic following Ben Garner’s dismissal yesterday.
Hayes had been promoted to the first-team coaching set-up at the start of the season.
And the Irishman will be assisted by former Addicks defender Jason Pearce after he was placed in interim control. Pearce has moved into the club’s academy set-up after retiring last summer.
Hayes told the South London Press: “It’s been a difficult day and a half with the news coming as a complete shock. Naturally I’ve got a very close affiliation with Ben – he’s a top, top man. He’s someone who gave me an opportunity which I’ll be eternally grateful for.
“I’d to like to think that in the summer an opportunity arose and thankfully he liked what he saw from me as a person and as a coach. He is the manager who gave me the opportunity to come and work full-time in senior football, which was always an ambition of mine. You couldn’t meet a nicer fella, he looks after people first and then their careers second. I can’t speak highly enough of him.
“He was desperate for this football club to achieve success and was completely devoted to achieving that. When anyone loses their job in this industry it is never a nice moment. At a football club you can’t ever stand still and we have a game of football to prepare for tomorrow. I’ve got the task of preparing the team to go and win at Stockport on Wednesday evening.”
Garner was relieved of his duties after holding Monday’s training session.
Hayes said: “I had a conversation with the owner, Martin and Steve Gallen. The owner joined on Zoom. It was basically a conversation about becoming caretaker. It was with myself and Scott Marshall. Both of us said we needed a bit of time to process what had happened before coming back to Thomas with the decision.
“Scott said he wasn’t fully committed to taking the team on Wednesday, beyond that I’m not aware of his personal situation.
“Thomas told me, starting with Stockport, to start preparing the team and do what I feel is in the best interests of helping the team succeed and win.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD
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