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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dan Kilpatrick

Charlton fans question club owners after Dean Holden sacking

Charlton’s supporters' trust has questioned the strategy of the club's new owners after manager Dean Holden was sacked over the weekend.

Holden became the first EFL boss to lose his job this season following a run of five straight defeats for the League One club.

The 43-year-old was appointed in December 2022 at the behest of new owners, Global Football Partners, who completed their takeover from Thomas Sandgaard in July.

CAST, the club's supporters' trust, acknowledged Holden had made mistakes in the Addicks' worst start to a season in over 30 years but said overall the problems were a "testament to a dysfunctional club following years of poor leadership and stewardship from the top".

A CAST statement read: "We find it difficult to believe that this was the plan all along, especially considering Holden was [the new owners'] recommendation...

"We can’t escape the fact that we really are that kind of club: the one where those in charge say it will be different next time but the wider world struggles to believe it. We still wait to hear a coherent and convincing plan for our club."

Holden's assistant Danny Senda and goalkeeper coach Glyn Shimell have also left the Valley, with Jason Pearce placed in interim charge.

Since Alan Curbishley's 15-year reign came to an end in May 2006, Charlton have made 21 managerial appointments and are now looking for their fifth boss in two-and-a-half years.

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