Jackson recalls Charlton departure

On his Substack platform Richard Cawley has an hour long interview with AFC Wmbledon manager Johnnie Jackson.   Here are some excerpts relating to his departure from Charlton:

"It’s a shame it ended like that. It’s not the club’s fault and I don’t hold any gripes towards the football club. It is on him [Sandgaard], as far as I’m concerned. He could’ve pulled me that night. What was I going to do? Start screaming and shouting? I would have been upset but would have thanked him for the opportunity.

“I had the fans on my side. I had the players on my side. We got them winning. We had started that season horrendously, let’s have it right, we were in the bottom three and we had nine points after 13 games. We were in trouble."

“We went on that winning run and they gave me the job - I think reluctantly - on a full-time basis because they probably had to.

“We know they put some unrealistic parameters in for me to have to get the job on a longer term."

"Knowing what I know now, I think I’d be in a much better position to take over when I did. But the facts remain I’d still be in the middle of a season, not having had a pre-season or a window to recruit and no stability around what I was doing."

50-50 split on Jacko sacking

Our survey on whether Jacko should have been sacked has attracted 162 responses and fans have split 54% - 46% that he should have been.

This is, of course, not a representative sample of fans, but it is not out of line with the balance of comments on social media.

The rights and wrongs of his removal and the way in which it was done is now water through the Thames barrier, although I would like to thank him for his years of committed service to the club.

We now need to look to the future which is why I am running a poll on who fans would like to see as the next manager.   I listed some of the most frequently mentioned names, but it could well be an appointment out of left field.

Both surveys will remain open for a few more days.

Sandgaard lists Jackson faults

Thomas Sandgaard admits that many fans were upset by the sacking of Johnnie Jackson, but defends his decision: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/thomas-sandgaard-i-understand-why-some-charlton-fans-will-be-unhappy-at-johnnie-jacksons-dismissal/

Sandgaard said: 'There are the fans who understand that maybe we could do better in terms of how we show up at games, the formation we play, our flexibility if a game develops differently to what we expected – how quickly can we transform and adjust to those things? Substitutions etc, there are many things that some fans have picked up on that maybe we could do differently.'

Fans are deeply divided on the issue.   Our Survey Monkey poll which has attracted over 100 responses is showing a 50-50 split.

You can still vote here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GBYMBZ6

I hope to run a poll on possible candidates for manager over the weekend.

The case for and against Jacko

Without doing a poll it is difficult to judge the balance of views among Charlton supporters on the removal of Johnnie Jackson as manager.

Let's consider the case for and against.   One fan tweeted: 'Maybe not a popular opinion but Jacko was out of his depth. Will always be a club legend but as a manager the style of play was boring, performances were average at best, tactics were weak.'

Whilst I think the complaints about the 3-5-2 formation were overdone, his obstinacy in refusing to change it or having a Plan B was a concern.   It meant that the opposition knew what they had to do: get in behind a weak defence.

On the other hand, Jacko inherited a poor results platform from Adkins.   Things did get better and the poor run was as much to do with the absence of a forward line as anything.

I was a bit more sceptical about his appointment than some people because I think the preference for a 'Charlton man' means that sentiment often gets in the way of clear thinking and good decision-making.

On balance, I would have let him build a team over the summer and prepare them pre-season, but I also understand why Sandgaard took the decision he did.

However, a great delay in selecting a replacement would be damaging.   New players will be reluctant to sign until they know who the manager is going to be.   Remember that because of the World Cup the League One season starts on the weekend of 30th July, so there won't be much of a pre-season.

I do think the vitriol directed at Thomas Sandgaard is unfair.  The club was on the verge of disappearing when he took over and I don't accept that there was queue of prospective buyers.   If I put £12m into  a business, I would expect some say in what happened.

The concern is, of course, that he does not understand League One football and a number of his immediate aides don't either or don't display much judgment.   But like it or not, he is the owner.  Some fans may not renew their season tickets, but that was likely anyway.

CAS Trust chair Heather McKinlay reflects on the decision here: https://www.castrust.org/2022/05/goodbye-jacko-and-thanks-for-everything/

Vote here:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GBYMBZ6

Exhaustive search for Jackson successor

Thomas Sandgaard explains his decision not to extend Johnnie Jackson's contract: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-part-company-with-manager-johnnie-jackson/

Richard Cawley of the SLP comments: 'Fairly clear indications that the style of football that Thomas Sandgaard wants, he didn't feel was aligned to the way that Johnnie Jackson felt was best way to win promotion.'

Terry Skiverton has also left as coach, but this has not led to any rending of shirts.

Sandgaard says he is looking to next season.   Whoever is chosen should  have no previous connection with the club and can take a long, cool look at things.

However, supremo Sandgaard has said that it will be an exhaustive search, but in the mean time will not affect recruitment: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/thomas-sandgaard-claims-johnnie-jacksons-departure-will-not-affect-charltons-recruitment-plans/

The decision was a bolt from the blue and the initial reaction from supporters has been predominantly negative.

VOTV editor Rick Everitt commented: 'The detail about Jacko’s contract got very confused but my understanding is final league position this season determined the level of severance pay he’d get. So finishing 13th made sacking him a cheaper option. It wasn’t about an extension this summer.'

Steve Brown commented on BBC London Sport: ''I don't think Johnnie has done badly enough to warrant being sacked. We're so quick in this country to pull the trigger on young managers we put in charge of a football team."

'The best Charlton could have hoped for when JJ took over was 6th and it would have taken a championship winning run to get 6th. I don't look at JJ as the reason they've finished 13th. I look at the squad, recruitment, lack of leadership within the players.'

Some surprises as Jacko rates Charlton managers

A long interview with Johnnie Jackson in which he talks about working under Karl Robinson and Lee Bowyer.   I am no fan of Gobby, but Jacko is full of praise for him and no doubt saw a side of him that we didn't (I notice he was complaining about referees once again at the weekend): https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/johnnie-jackson-interview-charlton/

He talks about a whole series of managers and in particular he praises José Riga saying he was 'really impressive' and wishes he could have stayed on.  I always thought he was one of the best of the Roland era.

He notes that he could have gone with Bowyer to Birmingham, but has less to say about recent challenges. However, he does say that Sandgaard was 'serious and different to what we had before.'   The fear of players not getting paid went away.

Of course, he is hardly likely to criticise the owner.   I still think we have reason to be grateful to him, but his initial irrational exuberance was unfortunate to say the least and created expectations that could not realistically be met.

Jacko gets the blessing of the Orange One

 Johnnie Jackson was interviewed on Talk Sport today.   Here are a few key quotes, some of them courtesy of VOTV columnist Natasha Everitt.

Jacko said: “I've seen it all [at Charlton], I’ve been through some real ups and downs. There was a period there under Chris Powell where we had success and I was really hoping that that would be the catalyst for the club to kick on, and that never happened..."

“Then we got momentum again under Lee Bowyer and myself when we managed to get promoted again to the Championship, but history repeated itself really and we didn’t get the help we needed that season to make a real go of it. We found ourselves falling backwards again.  It’s been disillusioning..."

“But this time round with the owner we’ve got now, Thomas Sandgaard, there’s some real positivity around the place and he’s got some real ambitions for the football club... hopefully those couple of decades are behind us.  The club is in a much better place, much better hands.”

The Orange One recalled the hostile reception he got at The Valley, but spoke positively about JJ: ‘He sounds like a very grown up manager.  I want him to do well.’  Jim White, Roland's mate, reminded listeners that we were going to miss out on the play offs again.

Jacko said we’ve got to try and finish the season strong, win every game.   We need a feel good factor around the place, ending the season with some optimism, some positivity.    It was his 12^th season at the club in different roles. ‘I’ve got a real feeling for what the club’s about.   Although I am a young manager I bring a lot of club experience to the table.’

Jacko admitted that it had been more challenging than he had expected.  ‘We were at our most depleted when we faced the toughest run of fixtures.  We’ve come through it now.  It makes you stronger in the long run.’

‘It’s a really important summer for us, recruitment is going to be key.  I have a clear idea of the type of squad I want to build, keeping the right ones from this year that we’ve got a nucleus of.  We’ll need the owner’s help with that.’

More here: https://talksport.com/football/efl/1074825/charlton-athletic-news-johnnie-jackson-thomas-sandgaard-efl/

Jacko criticises Macca

Shell shocked supremo Johnnie Jackson has admitted that Craig MacGillivray is not commanding his six yard box: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-boss-johnnie-jackson-provides-straight-answer-when-asked-about-goalkeeper-craig-macgillivray/

This was evident yesterday when Accrington keeper Savin was willing to come out of his box to snuff out threats.   Admittedly, there should be better communication and more pace from the Charlton defence as Curbs pointed out.

I didn't want Amos to go, but presumably he had a better offer from Wigan.  Many fans are pinning their hopes for next season on the return of Ashley Maynard-Brewer who impressed at Ross County in the Scottish Premier League before his injury.  The SPL isn't the greatest league in the world, but it is surely as good as League One.

Jacko is clearly baffled by the form of the rest of his players, suggesting it is a confidence problem rather than a lack of effort.  Certainly they seem to train well but then fail to deliver on matchday.

Fans continue to insist that the formation is the problem, but does he have the players for 4-4-2?  I know it's all supposed to be about the manager in modern football, but I think more of the fault rests with the squad, although I was surprised that Gilbey was omitted yesterday,.

Jackson will stay at the wheel says Sandgaard

Thomas Sandgaard has claimed that Charlton have the third largest budget in League One: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/thomas-sandgaard-claims-charlton-have-third-highest-league-one-budget-and-outline-role-he-hopes-to-play-in-future-success/

He also claims that Charlton are aiming for a top two finish next season and that Johnnie Jackson remains part of his plans which will disappoint those fans who have been calling for the manager's head: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/thomas-sandgaard-sets-charlton-top-two-target-for-next-season-with-johnnie-jackson-at-the-helm/

Sandgaard's claims have been greeted with scepticism by some fans who say they have heard it all before. It is also being said that Sandgaard is now telling people how badly the club was run when it was in the Premier League, based on the operating losses.  It is questionable whether he can have a useful opinion given he wasn’t around at the time. He seems to have taken on board certain things from Roland about how the latter was let down by the staff, but of course they were Roland’s staff.

Having said that, he is the owner and we are unlikely to get a new one - even Chelsea may not find that easy.   I always feel constrained about criticising owners when all I put in to the club is a season ticket and a Valley Gold subscription.   Actually I have put some money into my non-league club because at that level a few K can make a real difference.

Some perspective is needed on ownership issues,  Although it now seems a long time ago we had the spivs  who wanted to sell The Valley and move to a soulless stadium on the Greenwich Peninsula.   [Ed - entrepreneurial owners with a strategic vision].  We then had Roland who hollowed out the club.  They were followed by East Street Investments who admittedly brought a new class of vehicle to the West Stand car park, but attracted the opprobrium of fans despite their unique entrepreneurial qualities.

I know some fans say it is a ridiculous argument to say that we should be glad to have a club, but it was in real jeopardy and may still be.   I would rather play in the National League than disappear altogether.

I think that TS is a classic example of someone who has been successful in business thinking that they can apply those skills in football which is a unique sector of the economy and society.   Any person with money would be best advised to stay away because you will turn a large fortune into a small one and get a lot of grief along the way.

Charlton run the rule over 12,000 players

Ged Roddy is no longer a full-time employee at Charlton and is operating on a consultancy basis.  Thomas Sandgaard said, 'We are still trying to figure out his specific tasks.'  (Suggestions welcome)  Johnnie Jackson said: 'I wish him all the best into whatever he goes into': https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/exclusive-martin-sandgaard-appointed-charlton-athletics-director-of-analysis/

Thomas's son Martin may have other duties added to his director of analysis task, but at the moment he and his small team are busy assessing 12.000 players.

Thomas Sandgaard has confirmed that Johnnie Jackson's automatic contract renewals are tied to final league position.  He says that it is 'fairly generous' in Jackson's favour, 'but I don't want to be stuck with it long term if it turns out long term that wasn't right: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-owner-reveals-what-triggers-contract-renewals-in-johnnie-jacksons-deal/

Sandgaard praised Jackson's performance as caretaker, particularly his decisive substitutions, and says that he decided that he wanted him to carry on in the role a month before it was formalised, but the legal details took more time than they should have done.

Jacko appointed

Johnnie Jackson has been appointed permanent manager of Charlton: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-fans-favourite-johnnie-jackson-appointed-permanent-boss/

His contract will renew at the end of each season.

Charlton talk to Villa assistant manager

Thomas Sandgaard is to wait a month before making a decision about the next Charlton manager.  While appreciating what Johnnie Jackson has done, Sandgaard emphasises that it is a business decision, not a fans' popularity decision: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/exclusive-thomas-sandgaard-gives-update-on-charlton-athletic-managerial-situation/

Discussions have been held with Aston Villa assistant manager Michael Beale who spent eight years in the Charlton academy. 

One fan commented on social media: 'I think Sandgaard is possibly trying to figure out still if he's ready because yes there's the honeymoon period when we get the wins in but will Jackson be able to turn around a bad result in the future? Does he have the know-how to work the transfer market? I'm sure there's a few other skills in the job that we don't even consider as fans.'

VOTV editor Rick Everitt has commented: 'I think TS has handled the manager appointment just fine so far, but “30 days” is a hostage to fortune if Charlton carry on winning. And if they don’t it could look like he was waiting for the team to start losing to appoint someone like Hasselbaink (no thanks).

Powell's praise for Euell and Jackson

Chris Powell says that making Johnnie Jackson captain was one of the best decisions he ever made as Charlton manager: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/exclusive-chris-powell-gives-his-verdict-on-charlton-athletic-caretaker-management-duo-johnnie-jackson-and-jason-euell/

Powell hopes that Jacko and Jason Euell will be able to lead the club in the medium to long term.

Gilbey: 'we let Adkins down'

In an interview published in the Football League Paper today Alex Gilbey says that he believes that he and his teammates let Nigel Adkins down but that self-reflection has led to a determination to climb the table.

He said: 'As a unit, both team and staff, I feel we let the previous manager down.  We were in a really bad rut.  We had some really bad results and poor performances.   I feel that we needed to look at ourselves in the mirror as you can't always blame previous managers or other factors.'

'We have started to press as a team.  We were also really low on confidence, which is changing.'  Gilbey said that he had to see a specialist in London to sort his breathing out after he returned to training from Covid.

Gilbey said that he wanted Johnnie Jackson to be made permanent manager: 'The lads want, and are doing everything they can, to get Johnnie the job.  Everyone here thinks the world of him.  Obviously the fans do as well.  Since he came in, I feel we have gone back to basics, which is really good for the group.'

An outbreak of mutual respect

We are expecting a tough test against Rotherham tomorrow night, but that is also the expectation of their manager Paul Warne.  He says that Charlton are a good footballing side and there is no worse time to play a team than when they have had a change of manager: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/rotherham-united-boss-expecting-tough-test-at-revitalised-charlton-athletic/

Given that he has been talking to Lee Johnson, he will also be alert to Jayden Stockley's head butting technique. 

For his part Johnnie Jackson has a great deal of respect for Rotherham and also sees it as a tough test: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-caretaker-boss-johnnie-jackson-a-big-admirer-of-rotherham-united/ 

Jackson is hoping for a healthy crowd tonight to get behind the team: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/johnnie-jackson-charlton-fans-can-help-us-create-the-perfect-cycle/

Rotherham are currently top of the form table and 3rd in the table.   Charlton are now 8th in the form table.   Away from home the Millers have won four, drawn one and lost one.  They have scored nine goals and conceded two.  The Millers' last victory at The Valley was in 1982 when they won 5-1.

On October 24th they demolished MK Dons, currently 7th in the table, 3-0 away..   Paul Warne commented afterwards: 'I thought we had flashes of absolute excellence and our out of possession stuff was absolutely frightening today.'

Against Sunderland last Saturday they were dominant for large spells of the game.  Warne said, 'We are trying to win every game we play in.  I think if the lads play at their very best they are very difficult to play against.'   Michael Smith had two great finishes and he is League One's leading scorer with 12 goals.'

A draw would be a good result.

JJ and Euell have shortest odds as next manager

Not surprisingly Johnnie Jackson and Jason Euell are out in front and they may well get the roles they occupy on a caretaker basis, certainly that would please many fans: https://www.bettingodds.com/thesackrace/teams/charlton-athletic

Some names are are either unlikely to join a relegation threatened League One club (Chris Wilder) or leave a club where they are enjoying success (Ryan Lowe - what is more Plymouth have £6m in the bank.  More on Plymouth's finances here: https://footballeconomyv2.blogspot.com/2021/10/argyle-have-sustainable-business-model.html)

For those who like someone with Charlton connections, Mark Bowen who played at the Greatest Game might be a long shot.   Michael Flynn would be an interesting possibility, but surprisingly ex Spanner Neil Harris is at 10-1.

Sandgaard: a shock to the system was needed

Thomas Sandgaard says that it was a difficult decision to get rid of Nigel Adkins as he had enjoyed working with him, but sometimes a shock to the system was necessary: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/thomas-sandgaard-on-handing-charlton-caretaker-boss-role-to-johnnie-jackson-and-difficult-decision-to-part-company-with-nigel-adkins/

Some Charlton fans have argued that a wider shock to the system was necessary, in particular getting rid of Roddy, given a poor pattern of recruitment over the summer.  I am not saying that they are wrong, simply that I don't know enough about how decisions are made.  However, there may be a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth and it would be good to have a CEO in overall charge.

No rushed decisions will be made about a replacement and Johnnie Jackson will be given time to show what he can do which is only fair.

JJ makes his ambition clear

Johnnie Jackson has made it clear that he wants to be permanent manager at Charlton: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/ultimate-ambition-johnnie-jackson-wants-charlton-athletic-boss-job-on-permanent-basis/

I admire his ambition and I hope he makes the grade, although I have my doubts.

He admits it will be a tough start at Sunderland on Saturday, but anything better than a 3-0 defeat would be a step forward.   The real test will be against Doncaster.

Exit for Adkins

Nigel Adkins has left Charlton and Johnnie Jackson and Jason Euell are in temporary charge: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-athletic-confirm-nigel-adkins-exit-with-johnnie-jackson-in-caretaker-charge/

Whether this represents a longer term solution remains to be seen.   Jackson is understandably popular with fans, but he was also in charge of defensive coaching under the Adkins set up which is hardly a recommendation.   However, attracting a good manager to a League One club in the relegation zone will not be easy.

We shall also have to see if the players are good enough to respond to different leadership, again I have my doubts.

Richard Cawley reports: 'Just had a chat with Thomas Sandgaard. He's made it clear that no rush to bring in a replacement and that Johnnie Jackson will get a crack at showing what he can do.'

DJ is fine insists Jacko

DJ picked up a knock when he scored a goal against Dartford yesterday but Johnnie Jackson insisted that the player, who has been having a sparkling pre-season, is fine: https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/charlton-assistant-johnnie-jackson-provides-update-on-nigel-adkins-after-addicks-boss-misses-dartford-friendly-with-coronavirus/

Jacko also said that Nigel Adkins, who is self-isolating, is well.

Wembley hero Sasa Ilic is 49 today.