Charlton Athletic have confirmed that Lee Bowyer has resigned as the club’s manager.
Bowyer, who is a former Birmingham City player, looks set to return to his old side as manager, according to John Percy of The Daily Telegraph. Aitor Karanka is currently in charge at St Andrew’s but is close to being sacked.
He will leave a Charlton Athletic side battling for promotion in League One. The Addicks are eighth in League One, just two points off the play-off places.
Lee Bowyer Departs Charlton Athletic
The club can confirm that Lee Bowyer has resigned as Manager of Charlton Athletic. #cafc
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) March 15, 2021
Resigns After Three Years in Charge
The former Blues midfielder will become Birmingham’s seventh permanent manager since Gary Rowett was dismissed in December 2016. Bowyer will be tasked with keeping the Blues in the Championship after yet another season of struggle.
Karanka only arrived in July last year but has mustered just eight wins in 38 games. The Spaniard completely revamped the squad, but results and performances especially at home haven’t arrived. Saturday’s loss to Bristol City was Birmingham’s twelfth at St Andrew’s this season. Unsurprisingly, they have the worst home record in the Championship and certainly this has been a major factor in the decision to change managers.
Relegation is a major threat to Birmingham City, with the Blues lying in 21st place, just three points clear of the relegation zone. However, while they are outside the bottom three, their form is rotten and 22nd place Rotherham United have four games in hand on the Blues.
It’s a big job for Lee Bowyer to take on. They need to start winning matches, especially at St Andrews. Bowyer’s first game in charge will be against Reading on Wednesday night.
Bowyer Leaves Charlton in a Healthy Position in League One
Bowyer will depart a Charlton side very much in the race for promotion in League One. The Addicks are eighth in the table, just two points off the play-offs. However, their form has been indifferent over the last couple of months, especially at The Valley.
The Addicks have managed just five home wins this season, but despite their struggles have kept themselves in the race. Bowyer exits after three years which has brought promotion back to the Championship in 2019 and immediate relegation the following year.
Bowyer has steered the Addicks through troubling times, especially off the pitch with constant battles for ownership and regular takeovers. However, the club is settled under Danish businessman Thomas Sandgaard, who backed Bowyer tirelessly. He will depart Charlton with good wishes from the fans.
The search will now begin for Bowyer’s replacement with Charlton in action against Bristol Rovers tomorrow night.
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