Come back Curbishley! (Charlton Athletic F.C.)

Member Name: Beanie8844

Product:	Charlton Athletic F.C.
Date:	23/11/08 (107 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: a great club with a proud history

Disadvantages: struggling since Curbishley left in 2006

Yesterday's home defeat (2-5) to Sheffield United saw the end of Alan Pardews reign as Charlton manager. They languish in 22nd position in the championship and can only dream of their time in the premier league under the management of Alan Curbishley; maybe he'll return, you never know these days, just look at Keegan! In my opinion Charlton have been on a downward spiral ever since Curbishley's departure in May 2006. Since then they've had three managers and none have achieved any real success, Iain Dowie, Les Reed and Alan Pardew. I do feel that this next appointment is really important, they cannot afford to get it wrong, if they're relegated to league one that would be a disaster.

I do hope Charlton manage to attract a decent manager. They should be able to, they have a fantastic stadium, worthy of premier league football in all honesty and their supporters are very loyal. The squad is also quite strong, although they do have a relatively small young squad compared to other sides in the championship and they have quite a few loan players who could be recalled at any minute. Many of the players have been a success at lower league levels and are finding it hard to adjust to life in the higher echelons of the football ladder. If they get the right manager though then I'm sure they'll be fine, avoid relegation this season and be a force to reckon with next.

So, who should Charlton go for? In my opinion there are only two people on the shortlist. The first is the obvious man.....Curbishley, nobody would argue if he returned to the club with which he had so much success the first time around. The second is Aidy Boothroyd who was recently let go by mutual consent by Watford, could Watford's loss be Charlton's gain? I think so. He's a great manager, a real man motivator similar in style to Martin O'Neill of Aston Villa and I'm sure he could steer Charlton in a positive direction.

Charlton cannot afford to get this decision wrong, their supporters must be rather fed up with recent results and the way the team has literally fallen apart since Curbishley's leaving in 2006. I hope they do make the right decision because Charlton is a great club with a proud history and it would be a real shame if they were to fall through the leagues the way clubs like Swindon and Wimbledon (MK Dons) have.

Thanks for reading, I would be interested to here your thoughts on Charlton's predicament so feel free to comment.

Summary: hopefully they'll make the right appointment this time around