Charlton Athletic have parted company with their manager Russell Slade, the League One club confirmed on Monday night.
Slade leaves the Addicks 15th in the third tier, the final straw for their owner Roland Duchâtelet appearing to have been Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Swindon Town. That was only the 16th league game in charge for Slade, who joined Charlton in June – a month after his departure from Championship club Cardiff City.
“Charlton Athletic has today parted company with manager Russell Slade,” said the club in a statement. “The club has reluctantly made this decision after results this season, which have left the team occupying 15th place. The club wants to give itself the best possible opportunity of achieving its number one priority – winning promotion to the Sky Bet Championship at the earliest opportunity.
“The club would like to thank Russell for his tireless work during his time at The Valley, particularly the processes and disciplines he has instilled at the training ground, and wishes him well for the future.
“The club will make no further comment until a new manager has been appointed.”
Slade’s departure means the controversial Duchâtelet has overseen six different managerial tenures – including two by José Riga – since Chris Powell’s departure in March 2014. They were relegated from the Championship last season and their supporters’ disquiet has been such that a group travelled to Duchâtelet’s native Belgium on Monday to mark his 70th birthday with a protest against the regime.
Chris O’Loughlin, who previously managed the Belgian side Saint-Truiden – another club owned by Duchâtelet – is reportedly favourite to replace Slade. O’Loughlin has also coached the Congolese club AS Vita.
