‘It’s about what we do’ – new Charlton boss Ben Garner expecting to be judged on results

Ben Garner is confident he has the leadership and coaching know-how to cope with the demands of being Charlton Athletic boss.

The 42-year-old, who cut his coaching teeth in Crystal Palace’s academy, was appointed as the Addicks new manager on Wednesday.

And he has promised his side will be set up to play attacking football.

Garner was part of the Eagles’ first-team coaching set-up in the Premier League and also worked under Tony Pulis at West Brom.

Now he has landed the top job at Charlton after 89 matches as a manager at senior level, 56 of those coming last season as he took Swindon Town to the League Two play-offs.

The Addicks finished 13th in League One last season, 24 points adrift of the top six, and there will be a fanbase expecting a far more serious promotion attempt next time around.

Asked what he would say to anyone questioning if he had the experience required, Garner told the South London Press: “I don’t think it matters too much about what I say, it’s about what we do – how we prepare, train and perform on the football pitch that is going to dictate things.

“I’m very experienced as a coach and have got a certain level of experience now as a manager. But there are opportunities for people who are very experienced who don’t take them – and sometimes they are taken by inexperienced people. There is no rhyme or reason, or right or wrong.

“As a manager you are going to be judged in hindsight – I can promise you the world but it’s going to be actions that dictate that.

“There is always pressure in life  and I place pressure on myself to try and do the best I can all the time.

“The important thing for me is to work as hard as possible and do the best possible job at this football club. If we do that well enough then we can grow and be successful.”