Earlier Today Russell Slade, the former manager and Head of Football at Cardiff City was announced by Charlton Athletic on Twitter, as the manager to lead the 2016 / 2017 campaign in League One at the South East London Side. Is the tide turning at the Valley?
Last season Charlton saw a significant amount of protests and rebellion against the ownership of the side, specifically targeted at Katrien Meire (CEO) and Roland Duchatelet.
The majority of protests week-on-week made national headlines, as consistent disruptions to games and rallying chants against the owner intensified in the latter stages of the season.
However since the end of the season it would seem that Charlton Athletic are beginning to turn a corner, which is making the last three years feel like a complete dire waste.
It was rumoured that at the end of the season when Jose Riga handed in his resignation, that former Charlton Athletic manager in the early 90s, and greatly experienced footballing man – Lennie Lawrence, created a list of managers with successful English footballing experience.
Names on the rumoured list included: Nigel Adkins, Billy Davies, Chris Wilder and Russell Slade.
It would seem that the Belgian owner has finally listened to the outcry from the footballing community in terms of the hatred and disrespect they are bringing to themselves, and have appointed their first ever proven British manager.
The Chief Executive Officer, Katrien Meire, had the following to say regarding the appointment:
“We’re delighted to have agreed terms with Russell Slade. We don’t underestimate the challenge of getting Charlton Athletic back into the Championship.
“We believe Russell is the man to help us achieve this and, with the help of everyone involved in the club, ensure that Charlton Athletic have a successful 2016-17 campaign.
“Russell has vast experience in the division and is a two-time League One Manager of The Year. He joins us as manager on a long-term contract and his appointment represents the start of an exciting new era at the club under his guidance.”
Slade said the following regarding his appointment:
“I am very pleased to be appointed manager of Charlton Athletic, a club with a fantastic tradition and history.
“I was attracted to Charlton Athletic as the club has great facilities, passionate fans and a very successful academy. This is a hugely exciting opportunity and I cannot wait to get started.”
Russell Slade will be Charlton’s ‘Manager’. Previously the Belgian has only ever appointed Head Coaches, with it being speculated and almost confirmed that Roland Duchatelet has previously had a large amount of interference in transfers.
It would seem that Russell Slade is going to have greater control at the club than any other appointment since January 2014.
Another change we have witnessed with the Slade appointment, is the fact he has been offered a three year contract, where in the last three years Roland Duchatelet has only given 12 – 18 month contracts at best.
It would seem that the club is looking for greater stability and long term progress under Slade.
Also before announcing the appointment of Russell Slade, it would seem that Charlton Athletic are even targeting the correct players too. Players which are not from the ‘network’, but are in fact from other Football League sides which have the endurance, stamina, fitness and mentality for the tough English Football Leagues.
A good example being George Moncur at Colchester United, which despite rejection for the fee offered, there will no doubt be a more attractive offer if Slade likes the midfielder.
No doubt that many signings under Slade will be of similar experience and characteristics of established players within the English Football League, and will conduct a large amount of work over the summer transfer window with the newly appointed chief scout, Steve Head, to create a side ready for promotion.
It is reasonable to say that Charlton Athletic could be entering a new era under this management, one which listens and will provide full transfer control to Russell Slade, who will be given the finances to construct a side which will return Charlton to the Sky Bet Championship.
If Roland Duchatelet and his team sticks to their amendment of footballing strategy and ideology, and will back their manager all the way with funding and no interference, and fans witness promising results at the Valley, CARD (Coalition Against Roland Duchatelet) may find it difficult to stimulate large protests like they did last season.
This is all speculation, and we will have to be diligent over the summer transfer window, and see what will actually happen throughout the campaign next season.
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