Charlton Athletic boss job a roller-coaster ride that doesn’t last long – tactical issues and set-piece woes a factor in Dean Holden’s departure

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Charlton Athletic manager search – four words that crop up with far too much frequency. And confirmation of Dean Holden’s dismissal on Sunday evening means that another boss has failed to stay on the Valley’s treacherous roller-coaster for any kind of extended spell.

Of the last 10 appointments made by the Addicks – under three different regimes – only two men have stayed in charge for more than 50 league matches. Lee Bowyer leads the way with 137 games and is also the only one to leave on his own terms, opting to join Birmingham.

Unsurprisingly the managers who have been most popular with the Charlton fanbase have had playing connections – Bowyer and Chris Powell. It helped that both also won promotion from League One, in 2019 and 2012 respectively, after taking the reins.

The Addicks’ new owners Global Football Partners offered Powell the chance to return as interim boss following Holden’s sacking. But the former England coach, who recently left his role in Tottenham’s academy, turned the opportunity down. Instead Jason Pearce – another of the club’s former defenders – has stepped up from the academy on a temporary basis.

A Bowyer return would go down well with many supporters too. But there was no approach made to him when our paper went to press.

GFP’s stance is that they defer all football decisions to technical director Andy Scott. It is the 51-year-old who will drive their interview process  – with the likes of Michael Appleton (below), Darren Moore, Danny Cowley and Northampton boss Jon Brady all thought to have been seen as candidates when the process started.

Anyone saying they saw Holden’s exit coming before a ball was kicked with intent at the start of August is telling porkies.

Number one, the former Bristol City manager and Stoke City number two was the preferred appointment when Charlie Methven launched a takeover bid for the football club in December, entering into a period of exclusivity.

So when a fractious deal finally got over the line in July, after formal ratification from the domestic game’s governing bodies, Holden looked to be on rock solid ground.

And number two, some of the performances in pre-season had been encouraging – not least an excellent and energetic showing at Millwall that fuelled optimism that a play-off challenge could be mounted after two hugely underwhelming campaigns.

George Dobson’s goal gave Charlton an opening day 1-0 win over Leyton Orient to increase the feel-good vibe.
But, since then, it’s been mostly pain.

Holden averaged 1.52 points per game last season after replacing Ben Garner – which would yield 69 points if translated across a 46-match season. Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Oxford United means they had lost four of their opening five in League One, averaging 0.6 points per game – nailed on relegation form.

Tactically they were being found wanting. Holden talked before the end of last season about thrashing out set-piece woes at both ends of the pitches.

But new season, same old set-piece problems. Charlton’s xG (expected goals) – for and against when it comes to deadballs – still makes for grim reading.

Holden’s penultimate match was a 3-2 defeat to Port Vale, the winner coming as a Charlton corner was cleared and the hosts only had one defender back – Nathan Asiimwe. The youngster was outpaced by Josh Thomas, who squared for Funso Ojo to convert after an initial save by Ashley Maynard-Brewer.

It was a similar tale at Oxford, this time Tyler Goodrham with the 85th-minute clincher. Nine Charlton players pushed up and just Asiimwe on sentry duty – wide-open to be slapped on the transition.

I don’t think it would be unfair to suggest that Holden knew he needed a big result and that a point, even at one of the division’s frontrunners, probably would not be enough. Maybe that was a reason for him staying on the offensive rather than  looking to take a draw.

The vision he had for his team was to be front foot, high energy and possessing the kind of dynamism and running power to quickly regain the ball back. But they have conceded 11 goals in their last five matches – five of those in back-to-back home reverses to Bristol Rovers and Port Vale.

Out of possession they were too easily cut through and average conceding 1.6 goals per match – only Port Vale and Wigan (1.8) are below them.

Their xG for goals conceded was 7.2 – Barnsley (7.3), Orient (7.9) and Wigan (8.3) surpassing that.

The Addicks are fifth for expected goals with 6.7. Four clubs – Exeter (6.8), Barnsley (7.0), Bolton (8.4) and Peterborough (8.7) – can boast more.

The South London Press understands that it had been mooted to Holden that he needed someone more experienced to aide  or mentor him but the Mancunian would not countenance a change, preferring to stick with his coaching team of Anthony Hayes and Danny Senda, who had both been promoted from the club’s academy.

Senda, who was appointed joint assistant manager in May, was also let go by Charlton along with goalkeeping coach Glyn Shimell.

There were successes under Holden. Asiimwe (pictured above) and 18-year-old midfielder Karoy Anderson, who recently signed a new long-term contract, have both been transitioned into the first-team fold and look fine prospects.

Corey Blackett-Taylor is fitter and has played 90 minutes in four League One games this season.

We will never know if things would have panned out differently if Miles Leaburn and Chuks Aneke were available. Charlton’s lack of a targetman to partner Alfie May has been a problem and was an issue still not addressed before Holden left his post.

Aneke is a top earner and his numerous injury setbacks left him a bit-part player last season. His last appearance was in a 1-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday in February.

Scott Fraser, a creative outlet, has been out with a calf injury since the Orient match. Ipswich Town loanee Panutche Camara missed the last two with a foot problem.

Charlton also lost the loan services of Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi – 15 goals and nine assists in 49 appearances last season. He is simply impossible to replace on the Addicks’ resources.

But there was also a feeling that Holden had switched formation – to wing-backs – when the personnel did not suit his squad complexion or reflect the transfer business done in recent windows. Blackett-Taylor – a blisteringly quick winger – was asked to play on the left.

Asiimwe, like Anderson, has been impacted by the team’s poor form. But Holden had no other viable option to play down that side with a move for Fankaty Dabo breaking down due to medical issues. The former Coventry City defender has continued to train with Charlton and impressed in a recent development game.

GFP’s decision to act substantiates claims there was, if not tension, then at the very least a difference of opinion between Scott and Holden about their future visions. While a change so early does give a new manager time to reverse the team’s fortunes, it means trying to attract signings without them knowing who they are playing for.

What happens if the boss does not fancy me or I don’t fit in their system? It’s the kind of clarity that most players will want.

GFP were also hoping to free up funds by shifting fringe players that  clog up their wagebill – Charlie Kirk, Diallang Jaiyesimi and Conor McGrandles. Any movement now with those will still see the club picking up a significant chunk of their salary.

While adding options in the final third had been seen as a priority, Chem Campbell arriving on loan from Wolves, there are also questions marks over whether the defence has solid enough foundations – particularly in those central defensive spots.

The postponement of the Wigan Athletic match next weekend due to international call-ups will be welcomed.

It allows the new manager a period to settle in and spend quality time on the training ground.

But time is a commodity in short supply at Charlton Athletic when it comes to their managers – 21 of them have been and gone since Alan Curbishley’s 15-year reign ended in May 2006.