Charlton Athletic sack Ben Garner as recent poor form sees yet another managerial change

Charlton Athletic have sacked Ben Garner with Friday night’s 1-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town proving his final match at the helm.

Rumours had started swirling that Garner had been dismissed yesterday but Sandgaard told the South London Press there had not been any managerial change when contacted on Sunday night.

It is understood that the former Swindon Town boss took training on Monday morning before his deal was terminated.

The relationship between Garner and director of analysis Martin Sandgaard had been strained for a number of weeks.

Garner signed a three-year contract when he arrived from Swindon in the summer with the Addicks thrashing out compensation with the League Two club. The former Crystal Palace first-team coach also brought in Scott Marshall as part of his backroom team.

Charlton dropped to 17th in League One after Friday night’s defeat at The Valley.

Sandgaard told Charlton’s official website: “We would like to thank Ben for his hard work and commitment to the job. In his time at Charlton, the club have achieved some stand-out results, including big wins against some of the better teams in this league.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to sustain a consistency of results and our league position and recent form have left us in a situation where we had to act to give ourselves the best opportunity to get the most from this season as well as building a positive and winning environment for future years.

“We wish Ben the best for the future. Our search for a new manager has begun.”

Garner lasted just less than six months as Charlton manager with Sandgaard now looking for his fourth permanent appointment.

The US-based Dane opted to dispense with the services of Johnnie Jackson in the summer with predecessor Nigel Adkins in charge for seven months.

Garner, speaking after the Cheltenham loss, said: “We’ve got injuries, we’ve got a player ill, a player suspended but that’s where we are. We have to do more to come through that. That comes back to mentality. That’s something that has to change at the football club. I’m not trying to take pressure off me, but I don’t think it’s a managerial issue.

“You can keep changing manager every three or four months if you want. It’s deeper than that. It’s a cultural issue. It’s a mentality issue. That’s harder to change but that’s what we’ve got to do. I want to do that. I’m very willing to do that. I know I’ll be successful if I’m given the opportunity to do that.”

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS