Oldham Athletic have confirmed the appointment of John Sheridan as their new first-team manager. The 51-year-old is a previous player and manager at the League One club, and departs his role with League Two side Newport County.
Sheridan returns to Boundary Park after David Dunn was sacked by the club on Tuesday. The ex-Chesterfield and Plymouth Argyle manager resumes charge of first-team duties with the club situated inside the League One relegation places after a run of seven matches without a victory. His first game back in charge will be this Saturday’s encounter with Bradford City.
It proved to be an easy decision for Sheridan after he revealed his huge affection for the football club and despite a seven year absence, he expects to settle back into the role very quickly,
“Everyone knows how much I love this club. I was here for a long time as both a player and a manager so I’m really chuffed and excited to be back. I feel like I’ve got unfinished business from last time and I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s a big one, but I’m really excited about it.
As soon as the opportunity came, I wanted to get back involved and manage Oldham. I feel one of my strengths is getting teams who are struggling out of the positions they are in.”
Chairman Simon Corney says that it was an easy decision to appoint Sheridan, considering his track record in management and known admirations for the football club and the area,
“John has always been up on my list whenever we have appointed managers. If you look at his record, he got us into the play offs when he was here and he has won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and promotion with Chesterfield, plus he took Plymouth into the play offs last season.
Wherever he has been he has done really well. It was time to make a change and we feel we’ve got the right man here to make a difference, get the crowd going, get the players going and keep us in League One.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Newport County who have dealt with this situation in a professional manner.”
Sheridan, back in familiar surroundings, will take training tomorrow shortly after meeting his new squad and prepare them for the coming matches. Newport earlier today said that they were ’not currently seeking applications for any potential vacant managerial positions’. However with Sheridan now officially off the payroll at Rodney Parade, their new manager search shall begin.
