Lee Bowyer: I’ve had backing of Charlton Athletic owner Roland Duchatelet

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Lee Bowyer reckons he can have no complaints with Charlton Athletic owner Roland Duchatelet.

The 41-year-old was appointed permanent manager of the League One club last week – ending a five-month spell doing the job in a caretaker capacity.

Duchatelet wants to sell the Addicks but is struggling to find anyone willing to pay the asking price.

Attempts by an Australian-backed consortium, which involves Sydney businessman Andrew Muir, appear to have lost all momentum.

Charlton fans continue to protest against Duchatelet and will head to the EFL offices on Friday to demonstrate over the Belgian’s running of the SE7 outfit.

Bowyer has had less money to spend than any manager in recent history as cost-cutting measures are felt right across the board.

Staff have also been told that bonuses will not be paid as Duchatelet looks to bring losses down which are thought to be in the region of £10million a season.

“Because of the budget it has been tough – but not with Roland,” said Bowyer. “Trying to bring in the quality of player I’ve wanted, that’s why it has taken longer. We have had to be patient.

“But whenever I’ve asked for players, he’s backed us.

“After the recent protests [at the Fleetwood game] he rang on the Sunday and said: “Are you okay? Is everything okay?” He cares. Probably a lot of people wouldn’t want to hear it but he said: “I’m not going to just sell to anybody, because I care about the club’. Those were his words. He didn’t have to say that.

“He has backed me. I can’t say anything negative on that. All a manager wants is backing from the owner and I’ve had that.

“Okay, the budget is smaller than everybody else’s in the past but he has said it is a League One budget now. We’ve had to accept that. I believe the work myself and Steve Gallen [head of recruitment] have done to bring in the standard of players we have with that budget is exceptional.”