Charlton Athletic boss Holden on ‘punt’ paying off and outlines plans for summer rebuild to make club a League One promotion contender

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Dean Holden is already focused on his summer rebuilding job at Charlton Athletic after uncertainty over his future was ended last weekend.

The 43-year-old is now contracted to the League One club until the summer of 2026.

Holden initially arrived in December on a deal until the end of the season – at a time when a group fronted by Charlie Methven were in takeover talks with Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard.

The Mancunian stayed on after those negotiations collapsed with Andy Scott, Jim Rodwell and Ed Warrick – other appointments made at the same time as him – all leaving.

American Marc Spiegel, who has made his money in recycling, has replaced Methven’s party as Sandgaard looks to hand over part of the ownership – and financial burden – of running Charlton.

“The situation when I first came in, it was obviously a punt from the club but it was also a punt for me to come in on a really short-term contract – not really knowing what that looked like until I stepped through the door,” Holden told the South London Press.

“I’m really glad I made that decision, because it has now turned into an opportunity at such a big club in the long term.

“It settles everyone down (signing the contract). We’ve had all the stuff off the pitch but it shows my views, in terms of where the club can go. I’ve had some important conversations over the last few weeks about where the club is heading and I’m assured, most importantly, that it is a club that really wants to challenge next season.

“There is a lot of work to do in the summer, in terms of rebuilding the squad and off the pitch, in terms of the environment and culture, we’re trying to improve that all the time.

“There is so much growth in this club and this team, it’s really exciting and a chance for me to bring some success back to this club.”

Charlton keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer signed a three-year contract extension at the end of last week.

And the Addicks have also activated a 12-month extension on winger Corey Blackett-Taylor, who would have been a free agent at the end of June.

Holden’s challenge right now is to finish the final 10 matches of this campaign strongly.

Charlton will be in League One for a fourth season, the longest they have ever spent in English football’s third tier.

“We’ve got to get everybody together,” said Holden. “We’ve tried in the short term to really connect the fanbase with the club and the team.

“We are looking to retain our best youngsters and we’ve got a lot of work to do in the transfer window, in terms of putting together a squad which can challenge for promotion.

“Plymouth are probably the outliers (in this season’s race to reach the Championship). You’ve got the Sheffield Wednesdays, Boltons and Ipswichs up there. They are some really big clubs but that doesn’t guarantee anything – you’ve got to put together a squad which is capable.

“The work starts now. It’s really putting it down – what does a promotion team look like? In terms of how many goals do you need to score? How many clean sheets do you need? How many wins do you need throughout a season?

“You can’t guarantee that happens but you establish what it is that takes you to promotion, looking at the average over the last 10-15 years. I won’t go into it now, but I’ve got all those details.

“When you look at how many goals you need, then you think about where they are going to come from. It’s easy saying: ‘Oh he’s a good player, let’s sign him’. But are they a centre-back who can get five, six or seven goals in a season? Are they a midfielder who can get double figures? Are they a wide player who can contribute?

“It’s why I find recruitment fascinating because there is a lot to be done. You’ve got to build relationships in the team. We want a team which is mobile, is aggressive and which can run. Technically we need good players within that.”

Holden has struck up a decent rapport with supporters.

“You are who you are,” said the former Bolton, Oldham and Peterborough defender. “When I speak to fans they say they like my honesty and the way I speak after games.

“Football fans, and Charlton ones in particular, are clued in. They’ve seen football played at a higher level. They understand the bigger picture of where the club is at the minute.

“They’ve been fantastic to me and also to my family when we’ve been out and about. It means a lot.

“Like most people in football, the other side of it is not very nice but you accept that about the job.

“Certainly when the fans are onboard and supporting you, it makes it really, really special.

“It’s a big part of me wanting to stay. Now we have got that relationship and connectivity we need to keep bringing it forward.

“It’s not about me. It’s about the club. The fans want to be excited about coming down The Valley and watching us play.

“It’s my job to put a team on the pitch they can relate to.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS