Charlton boss Nigel Adkins wants to help Johnnie Jackson be ready for managerial opportunity

Nigel Adkins is happy to be working with Johnnie Jackson – and wants to help the Charlton Athletic assistant manager be ready for when a boss job is available in the future.

The Addicks number two had been expected to join Lee Bowyer at Birmingham City if he did not get offered the chance to succeed him in SE7.

But Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard claimed on Thursday that Jackson was staying on in his role along with all of Bowyer’s backroom team.

And Adkins, appointed as Bowyer’s successor at Charlton on Thursday, was often deep in discussion with Jackson during today’s 2-2 draw at AFC Wimbledon.

Adkins said: “I’ve never actually met him [before this week], so it’s good to ask him questions to see what he is thinking and talk things through.

“That was a perfect opportunity to do it today. He’s got more of an insight into the players at this moment in time, in what their strengths and weaknesses are to try and deal with the opposition.

“Not a problem [having Jackson as assistant manager]. I’ve come in as the manager and I’ve come in on my own. The club have put in situ how they want to do it and I’ve not got a problem with that whatsoever.

“I’ve told Johnnie I want to help him. He should have an ambition to be a manager down the line, so how can I help him develop as much as possible to be in that position when that opportunity comes again for him?”