Charlton retained list set to be released ‘soon’ following difficult conversations with departing players – Dean Holden
Charlton boss Dean Holden says the club’s retained and released list will be published ‘soon’ following some tough conversations with players who are set to depart.
The Addicks finished 10th in League One following the final day 2-2 draw at Cheltenham Town. They will now face a fourth consecutive season in the third tier for the first time since they were originally promoted from it in the 1920s – with this current run arguably the club’s lowest point on the field of play.
Several players’ contracts are now set to expire, and Holden had already informed certain players that they will not be renewed.
“I don’t know the exact date, but it will be out soon,” said Holden.
“It’s never an easy part of the job, telling a player that they’re not going to be retained. It’s an honest conversation. I do it face to face. I was there myself as a player, I remember what it was like. It’s not an easy conversation but it’s a big decision you have to make as a manager.
“There’s no sentiment involved in it. You have to make decisions that are going to benefit this football club. That’s my job as the manager. That’s the responsibility I carry but at the same time you try and do it in as human a way as possible and hope that the players appreciate your honesty.”
936 Charlton fans made the trip to Gloucestershire for the final game of the campaign, despite the season being long over from a competitive point of view for the South Londoners.
“We’ve not given them enough,” admitted Holden.
“That has to be the driver for next season. I want [the players] to go away and mentality switch off for a week or two but then they’ve all got their programs. We’re able to monitor them 24/7 throughout the off-season.
“They’ve got to come in absolutely ripped physically. As fit as they’ve ever been. There’s been issues with that this season. We’ve got no time to waste. 22nd June, the players are back in. From day one, the mentality is going to be this is where we’re going to get to. It’s alright saying it. You’ve got to have actions that back it up.”
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