Charlton Athletic hand manager job to former Bristol City boss Dean Holden

Charlton Athletic are set to announce Dean Holden as their new manager today.

The South London Press understands that there could also be structural changes and that may include someone with a proven track record on the analytical side coming on board.

We have been told that Andy Scott, who has previously held recruitment roles at a number of clubs including Forest, Brentford, Watford and Swansea, is coming in as director of football.

There have been suggestions that Scott has selected Holden, who has previously been boss at Oldham Athletic and Bristol City, as the man to lead the struggling League One club.

He also had one match in caretaker charge of Stoke City, his most recent posting. He became Michael O’Neill’s assistant in April 2021 but left as soon as Alex O’Neil succeeded the Irishman.

Holden, 43, was also number two to Lee Johnson at Bristol City from November 2016 until taking on the head coach role full-time in August 2020. He had a win percentage of 43.9 but was dismissed in February 2021 after the Championship side lost six successive matches.

Holden had initially been in interim control and won two and drew two of his opening five games to be handed a 12-month rolling contract.

None of the managers appointed by Sandgaard have lasted more than seven months in the role.

First-team assistant coach Anthony Hayes will take charge of tomorrow’s EFL Cup tie against Brighton with Holden’s first match being against Peterborough on Boxing Day.