With Charlton Athletic sitting in 22nd place in the Championship, and on the back of a 3-0 reversal at the Valley, the Addicks have announced they have parted company with head coach Guy Luzon and his first team coaching staff.
The move, whilst not wholly unexpected given current form and results, still came as a bolt out of the blue for some. Luzon has presided over a team that has lost their last three games without scoring and conceding a total of seven goals, including three in midweek to notoriously goal-shy Preston North End – their third such scoreline this term so far. In fact, in league competition Charlton haven’t won a game since a 2-1 victory over high-flying Hull City on August 22.
During this run, which includes five losses and a draw in their last six games, Charlton have struggled to match their opponents at times. Over the course of the season itself, Charlton have only scored 11 goals whilst conceding 21; this giving them an overall goal difference of -10.
A good place to find out reaction to stories such as this one is over on Twitter where the 140 characters available are used to cutting and acerbic effect at times.
Luzon gone – Twitter reacts
I do feel very sorry for Guy Luzon but it's the right call from the club. Not a big enough character in the dressing room #cafc
— Freddie Wells {…} (@FredSWells) October 24, 2015
Guy Luzon convinced me in his presser that, starting today, he would turn the season around. I still had faith, board clearly didn't. #cafc
— Louis Sealey (@LouisSealey) October 24, 2015
https://twitter.com/MickPCollins/status/657993925282680836
Luzon gone. Would love paolo di canio to get the job but can't see it happening. #cafc
— henry gebbett (@henners1989) October 24, 2015
Glad Luzon is out, now for you Roland! #cafc Don't really want Mackay he contributed to Wigan going down! Di Canio would be good fun!
— Loyal Subject (@NigelMannering) October 24, 2015
Feel for Luzon a bit, injuries killed him! But made a few strange decisions over the last 3 games, maybe run out of ideas #cafc
— Kev (@kevo10cafc) October 24, 2015
Luzon sacking no surprise as #cafc had to win today but scapegoating manager always an easy option. Club has been in decline since 2006.
— Paul Green (@PaulGreen1001) October 24, 2015
Luzon is a victim of the regime, and further proof of its failings so far. He should never have been given the job. Time for change #cafc
— David Jarvis (@DavidJarvis25) October 24, 2015
So whilst some fans think it is for the better, that Luzon needed to go to provide for change at pitch level, there are others who think that the canker is much deeper and much higher up the power ladder.