Charlton Athletic’s fourth League One loss of the season proved to be costly for Dean Holden, the 43-year-old boss relieved of his duties at The Valley after lasting eight months in the hot-seat.
Currently occupying 19th spot in the third tier, this weekend’s 2-1 away loss at Oxford United proved to be the final straw with a statement released yesterday evening confirming the news that Holden and various other staff members had been given the boot.
A club notorious for sacking managers, Charlton will now turn their attention to appointing Holden’s successor. Who will be the next boss at the currently underachieving Addicks?
Charlton Athletic can confirm that Dean Holden, Danny Senda and Glyn Shimell have left their roles at the club.
🔴⚪️ #cafc
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) August 27, 2023
Darren Moore – Unemployed
Darren Moore could well this see Charlton vacancy as an opportunity to bounce back from his disappointing end at Sheffield Wednesday, the ex Owls boss dismissed after he managed to steer Wednesday to promotion in dramatic fashion at Wembley.
A proven promotion winner at League One level now, Moore also impressed in his two other managerial spells in charge at West Brom and Doncaster Rovers.
Moore also has a reputation of being well-liked and admired by the players he’s worked with in the past, his presence galvanising Sheffield Wednesday to pull off the unthinkable versus Peterborough United in last season’s League One playoffs.
Turning around the fortunes of a sleeping giant in the form of the Owls, Moore could well fancy reawakening the beast at The Valley if he was appointed as the next Charlton manager.
Chris Wilder – Unemployed
Another big name could well be in the running for a return to management off the back of Holden’s exit, former Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder in contention to take over at Charlton.
Wilder has excelled in the past in the third tier, managing Sheffield United to a 100-point finish in League One during the 2016-17 campaign which saw the Blades convincingly win the league title.
He has three more promotions on his resume too, a serial winner at many different clubs. However, his reputation at this moment in time has taken a bit of a beating – two underwhelming managerial spells back-to-back at Middlesbrough and Watford in recent memory raising question marks about his current ability.
Could he get back to his best in the Addicks dug-out?
Danny Cowley – Unemployed
Always in the running when a sacking is announced in the EFL, Danny Cowley might well be the next choice as manager for the Addicks hierarchy.
Cowley has been out of a job since his dismissal from Portsmouth in early January this year, given his marching orders by Pompey after the South Coast side had slumped to 12th spot in League One.
Regardless of his mixed spells at Portsmouth and then Huddersfield Town, Cowley has showed in the past that he’s an excellent manager when everything clicks into place.
He took Lincoln City from non-league to League One football in a matter of seasons, with the 44-year-old still held in high regard at the Imps.
Cowley also won a solitary Championship Manager of the Month award with Huddersfield, even if his time in West Yorkshire peetered out.
Charlton could well offer Cowley another opportunity to impress as a boss if he’s on the managerial shortlist at the Valley.
Leam Richardson – Unemployed
Leam Richardson might well be another name in the mix to take over from the out-going Dean Holden, Richardson still unemployed from his time at Wigan Athletic.
Richardson’s time at Wigan Athletic means he’s still a hero to the Latics’ contingent to this day, staying on at the DW despite financial concerns initially as assistant manager but taking over as manager further down the line.
He would spearhead the Latics to a League One title success during the 2021-22 season, pipping Rotherham United and MK Dons by a matter of points to lift the silverware.
Departing the Greater Manchester side the following season, Richardson could be itching to get going again as a boss after some time away from the game.
Could Charlton be his next destination?
Pete Wild – Barrow AFC
Charlton might well turn their attention to a manager currently in work, Pete Wild’s reputation in lower league football continuing to rise as Barrow AFC head coach.
The Bluebirds finished 9th last campaign under the 39-year-old boss, a position that could be seen as an overachievement considering their history as a mainly non-league side.
Wild has won supporters over at Holker Street with his passion, the ex Halifax Town manager turned Bluebirds fan favourite often videoed beating his chest post-game to the rapturous applause of the Barrow supporters.
At this point in time, the Bluebirds have only lost once in the league this season – drawing 1-1 with Wrexham last time out.
Rumoured with high-profile jobs in the past, Wild could well be persuaded to make the step-up one division if Charlton came calling.
Also, Wild would instantly endear himself to the Valley faithful for his passion where other ex Addicks managers have failed to leave a lasting impression.
Who should Charlton go for next? Any names I’ve missed off the list? Comment below your thoughts on my five potential replacements for Dean Holden…
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