Speaking to News Shopper, Charlton Athletic chairman Matt Southall has confirmed that they have offered manager Lee Bowyer a new five-year deal at The Valley.
Charlton Athletic’s new chairman Matt Southall has confirmed that the club have offered manager Lee Bowyer a new five-year contract with the club, as they look to secure his long-term future.
Upon the appointment of Southall and arrival of new owners in the form of East Street Investments, it has been made very clear by new chairman Southall that they intend to secure Bowyer’s long-term future at the club in the early stages of their time at the club, with Bowyer’s current deal expiring at the end of the season.
And now, Southall has confirmed that there is now a five-year offer on the table of Bowyer. Speaking to News Shopper upon the announcement, the Addicks chairman said that the 43-year-old is a big part of their long-term plan at The Valley. He said:
“From the outset, our intention was a long-term strategy, so with that in mind, he’s been offered a five-year deal. It gives him the opportunity to grow with us and build with us. We’ve offered a five-year deal because I think he’s the person that can be successful at this club.
“Lee is an integral part of why we came into this, he’s young and in 18 months where he’s taken the club, from League One mid-table to here is fantastic, on the resources he’s had! Clubs came in for him, it was widely reported, I told him I wanted him to stay, so for me,it’s a priority to get it done, and I honestly believe we will sort it out and get it done.”
Bowyer has been a revelation since his appointment as manager. He took up the role in March 2018 and guided Charlton to promotion last season, doing so on limited funds. Bowyer has been linked with various managerial roles in his time at The Valley but has remained faithful to the club. Now, with a five-year contract on the table, it awaits to be seen if he puts pen to paper on the deal.
