Charlton Athletic boss Dean Holden gives verdict on Global Football Partners’ takeover completing
Dean Holden has given his reaction to Charlton Athletic’s takeover completing on Friday.
SE7 Partners, a UK subsidiary of Global Football Partners, were confirmed yesterday evening as the League One club’s new owners – ending Thomas Sandgaard’s spell in charge.
SE7 Partners, who were spearheaded by former Sunderland part-owner Charlie Methven, wanted Holden to succeed Ben Garner in the Valley hotseat in December.
And Holden was asked for his thoughts on the completion of the deal after today’s 5-0 friendly win at Wealdstone.
“Very excited,” he said. “Everyone knows I’ve got a previous relationship with the guys that have come in.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back working with them. Peter Storrie has been very good in the interim, in terms of restructuring some things around the football club. Now we moved forward, now it’s time to get to work.
“As the statement said, there is not going to be any big promises or statements. It’s about day to day, how we work, and week by week – bringing success to this football club.”
SE7 Partners were in a period of exclusivity at the end of 2022 but then Sandgaard broke off to try and do a deal with American Marc Spiegel.
Spiegel’s deal lacked the financial backing and Methven’s party came back into play.
“I’ve had to be very respectful of the process,” said Holden. “When the guys came and went in January and February time we all knew what the rules were. When they came back in March or April they weren’t really allowed to influence the club moving forward until the EFL approval was done.
“Of course I’ve got a relationship with them. There were some brief conversations yesterday afternoon. Jim Rodwell is coming in as MD and chairman for this season. He’ll be the guy I’ll deal with most, up until I get a technical director and performance director in as well.
“I’m looking forward to seeing who these guys will be. It is about building relationships and making sure we’re on the same page.”
Our paper has already reported that Andy Scott is set to be the technical director, a role he filled for a short spell at the turn of the year – only leaving once Spiegel came into the frame.
Asked about Scott, Holden said: “I think all that will come to light in the next week or two.”
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