Sports Editor Tony Bugby brings us the latest from Oldham Athletic FC.
OLDHAM ATHLETIC have appointed senior player David Dunn as interim manager following the sacking of Darren Kelly.
It was a dramatic weekend at SportsDirect.com Park when the dismissal of Kelly, who was only appointed as manager in early May on a two-year contract, was announced little over one hour after the 5-1 home defeat by struggling Peterborough.
The club put out a statement which read: “Oldham Athletic (2004) AFC Limited can confirm that first-team manager Darren Kelly is no longer in charge of first-team affairs at the club.
“The board of directors would like to place on record their thanks to Darren for his contribution to the development of the club during his tenure and wish him well for the future.
“The club will not be seeking any applications for the role of first-team manager at this time and can also confirm that all the current coaching staff will remain in their respective roles.”
This was followed on Sunday morning by a brief 25-word statement: “Oldham Athletic (2004) AFC Limited can confirm that, with immediate effect, David Dunn will take charge of all first-team matters on an interim basis.”
Kelly had, incredibly, been in charge for only nine games in which they had recorded only one victory.
But it was an appointment which was clouded in controversy from day one after fans, wanting to learn more about the little-known Kelly, discovered his links to Sinn Fein which caused a furore.
Kelly was under intense pressure and scrutiny from the start and it looked an appointment that was destined to end in tears which it has done.
It was the worst kept secret that Kelly was a dead man walking – I was told by somebody at another club before the season kicked off it was highly unlikely he would still be manager by the end of September.
And coming in the wake of trying to sign Ched Evans and continued delays to the opening of the new North Stand, for which 1,000 season tickets have been sold for the current campaign, it is further embarrassment Latics can ill afford.
Dunn, with a wealth of Premier League experience at Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City, has been placed in temporary charge and looks a safe pair of hands.
If things don’t work out, though, don’t be surprised for Latics to turn to former players Neil Redfearn or John Sheridan who could be in line for a surprise return and a second spell as manager.
Redfearn, who left Leeds in the summer, has been to a number of recent games, and chairman Simon Corney remains an admirer of Sheridan who did well at Chesterfield and Plymouth after leaving Latics who he guided into the play-offs during his spell as manager and secured top-10 finishes each season he was in charge.
How Latics crave for such stability.
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