Thanks Lee; the sad thing is after the play offs we had such momentum as a club and it was all squandered by off the field rollocks. Lets hope we can get that back we know from when Lee took over from Robinson it doesn't take a lot to get us moving but boy has it been a slog lately.
Thanks Lee for one of my best moments of supporting Charlton in Sixty years, the playoff final at Wembley (missed the 1998). Not surprised that his win rate made him the second best of all time through one of the toughest times for our club and supporters. I wish you every success for the future except when you play us.
He's our second best manager of all time and out of those with 100+ games in charge comes top:
Manager
Period
Number of
League Games in charge
Average
points over 46 games (3 points per win)
Percentage
of games won
Mike
Bailey
1980-1981
54
73.3
46%
Lee Bowyer
2018-2021
137
69.5
42%
Jose Riga
# 1
2014
16
69
44%
Chris Powell
2011-2014
146
68.7
40%
Jimmy Seed
1933-1956
677
68.4
42%
Phil
Parkinson
2008-2011
96
67.6
38%
Russell
Slade
2016
19
65.4
32%
Alan
Curbishley
1995-2006
450
65
38%
Steve
Gritt and Alan Curbishley
1991-1995
184
64
39%
Jimmy
Trotter
1956-1961
216
63.7
39%
Karl
Robinson
2016-2018
63
62.1
35%
Alex
MacFarlane
1925-1928 and 1928-1932
292
60.7
37%
Andy
Nelson
1974-1980
248
59.5
33%
Frank Hill
1961-1965
157
58.3
34%
Eddie
Firmani
1967-1970
117
57.8
31%
Bob
Peeters
2014-2015
25
57
24%
Alan
Pardew
2006-2008
83
56.5
31%
Walter
Rayner
1921-1925
168
56.1
30%
Alan
Mullery
1981-1982
42
55.9
31%
Theo Foley
1970-1974
180
54.9
32%
Lennie
Lawrence
1982-1991
357
54.6
30%
Albert
Lindon
1928 and 1932-1933
44
54.4
34%
Guy Luzon
2015
34
52.8
29%
Bob Stokoe
1965-1967
89
52.2
28%
Ken Craggs
1982
15
52.1
33%
Jose Riga
# 2
2016
20
46
25%
Karel
Fraeye
2015-2016
13
35.4
15%
Ian Dowie
2006
12
30.7
17%
Les Reed
2006
7
26.3
14%
For me this season was much of a muchness with 2019-2020: energetic highly motivated start, slump into relegation form, players dropped and moved on, replacements often mediocre. It was time for him to go, and I suspect his record will take some beating.
Sorry but that is nonsense. He's not our second best manager of all time.
As a recent ‘Bowyer Out’ fan, I’m glad this has happened now. It was never anything personal and he goes with my best wishes for his managerial career (except when he plays us!).
Any longer and it might’ve become difficult to remember the good times
Could have walked out on us a long time ago given what has gone on off the pitch with previous owners, at least we can draw a line out of it, he can move on and get a fresh start, and if he can keep Birmingham up , prove that he can manage in the Championship, crucial for us who comes in next.
Thank you Lee Bowyer, not just for the play-off glory at Wembley which was my finest and most memorable day as a Charlton supporter but for restoring some pride and credibility to the club when it was being run by chancers and crooks. It can't have been easy and you showed immense dignity and professionalism.
As someone else posted, Lee Bowyer was the thin red line between Charlton Athletic and complete chaos and meltdown.
I hope there is no more to this than meets the eye. I have had enough of boardroom shenanigans and disputes for one lifetime.
Myself I wanted him to stay and be given for the first time in his tenure, a budget and backing from a supportive owner. He had been working with his hands tied behind his back from the moment he took the reins and the team he managed to put together for this season was way short of the standard of players that he, Jacko and Gallen would have reasonably be expected to end up with. The embargo and wage cap made sure of that. Taylor got us relegated, Southall told bare faced lies to Bow and Jako, the embargo and wage cap left them deep in the shyte.....Christ, we were screwed before the season even started and we were left with a squad ‘thrown together’ rather than logically and carefully thought out. I saw that and was very very unconvinced from the word go.....and so it proved. He helped put a team together that could have gone places after Wembley but within the blink of an eye it was torn apart before our eyes and we were left struggling.....nothing to do with Bow, just the lousy hand he was left holding. I wanted him to build again and see how it went until Christmas, if not seeing a good enough improvement, then time to think again. The truth is, we will never know how good he might have been given the right circumstances. I was prepared to have a degree of loyalty and faith to wait and find out.....many of you, much to my dismay, illogically weren’t.
I've always (probably rather with heart rather than head) wanted him to stay. He cares about this club - really cares. There have been so many times where I thought he would go and just be done with all the ownership nonsense that happened. He took us on that playoff run and within a few points of staying in the Championship. His achievements under awful conditions should not be understated and his dedication to keep going through adversity should be both respected and acknowledged. Whilst we may have gone almost full circle as to where we were when he first came in, he is a big, big reason as to why TS invested in the club and we have that relative stability now.
This season has been disappointing - players he has brought in have underperformed, not worked or not bought in to his thinking. He has some culpability here and I think that (most likely, albeit mathematically still possible) missing out on playoffs represent an underperformance for this club and this squad of players. I did believe that, given our January purchases, we'd have the depth, but we've been leaking too many goals and not creating anywhere near as many goal-scoring opportunities as I thought these players would provide. LB has respectfully walked away - no shame, no drama. Just a squad that I think he has accepted he could do no more with and wants to give the club the very best opportunity to create a team that can get automatic promotion next season.
I think I see it as acceptance that he didn't want to rebuild again, and quite honestly with what he as gone through, I understand where he is coming from. I personally wished that he'd have taken that chance to build another squad, but I think as soon as he realistically knew that the playoffs were as good as gone, he wanted to step away. His motivations could well be the chance of another job elsewhere, but I wouldn't begrudge him this.
He's our second best manager of all time and out of those with 100+ games in charge comes top.
For me this season was much of a muchness with 2019-2020: energetic highly motivated start, slump into relegation form, players dropped and moved on, replacements often mediocre. It was time for him to go, and I suspect his record will take some beating.
Sorry but that is nonsense. He's not our second best manager of all time.
First season he worked wonders to get us in the Playoffs.
Second season he got us promoted with one of the best memories at Wembley I will ever have.
Third season be worked against all odds to almost beat the impossible and keep us up.
This season just seemed one too far and he has not looked happy and made many baffling decisions and comments.
It was time (in fact a month or two past it), but he has definitely carved out his piece of history and will deserve the standing ovation that he will definitely get when next back at The Valley.
Thanks Lee. The best of your 18/19 team, was a joy to watch up there with our 97/98 team. You pulled it together in more difficult circumstances than anyone, except for maybe Lennie. Watching us outplay a super Luton L1 team was a real highlight for me. I'd never thought I'd see and say that about a L1 match.
I'm very glad that it seems you've got an option to further your career at somewhere that you're also held in high esteem.
I am very sorry to see Lee go, and believe that with proper support from TS he would have achieved further success (none of the other clowns helped him in any way, most other managers in his position would have gone long ago) lets just hope that whoever takes over can move us forward at the pace wanted by the owner. I do not think it would be right for Johnny Jackson to take over, as if Lee has failed then he was part of that management team and must accept some responsibility. The saying "be careful what you wish for" may yet come back to bite the "Bowyer out " brigade. Good Luck Lee whatever you choose to do next. Not sure that Birmingham would be the right move though, as on the face of it the look like club in turmoil. Take some time to do some fishing maybe.
Myself I wanted him to stay and be given for the first time in his tenure, a budget and backing from a supportive owner. He had been working with his hands tied behind his back from the moment he took the reins and the team he managed to put together for this season was way short of the standard of players that he, Jacko and Gallen would have reasonably be expected to end up with. The embargo and wage cap made sure of that. Taylor got us relegated, Southall told bare faced lies to Bow and Jako, the embargo and wage cap left them deep in the shyte.....Christ, we were screwed before the season even started and we were left with a squad ‘thrown together’ rather than logically and carefully thought out. I saw that and was very very unconvinced from the word go.....and so it proved. He helped put a team together that could have gone places after Wembley but within the blink of an eye it was torn apart before our eyes and we were left struggling.....nothing to do with Bow, just the lousy hand he was left holding. I wanted him to build again and see how it went until Christmas, if not seeing a good enough improvement, then time to think again. The truth is, we will never know how good he might have been given the right circumstances. I was prepared to have a degree of loyalty and faith to wait and find out.....many of you, much to my dismay, illogically weren’t.
Good luck Lee, we both needed a fresh start but the 18-19 season and the day out at Wembley will live long in my memory. It's a shame that things haven't clicked this season in the same way and I hope you succeed in all you do elsewhere (unless it's against us).
Thanks for all your commitment, hard work and rekindling the spirit of this club after so many had worked so hard to rip it out.
I am very sorry to see Lee go, and believe that with proper support from TS he would have achieved further success (none of the other clowns helped him in any way, most other managers in his position would have gone long ago) lets just hope that whoever takes over can move us forward at the pace wanted by the owner. I do not think it would be right for Johnny Jackson to take over, as if Lee has failed then he was part of that management team and must accept some responsibility. The saying "be careful what you wish for" may yet come back to bite the "Bowyer out " brigade. Good Luck Lee whatever you choose to do next. Not sure that Birmingham would be the right move though, as on the face of it the look like club in turmoil. Take some time to do some fishing maybe.
I am very sorry to see Lee go, and believe that with proper support from TS he would have achieved further success (none of the other clowns helped him in any way, most other managers in his position would have gone long ago) lets just hope that whoever takes over can move us forward at the pace wanted by the owner. I do not think it would be right for Johnny Jackson to take over, as if Lee has failed then he was part of that management team and must accept some responsibility. The saying "be careful what you wish for" may yet come back to bite the "Bowyer out " brigade. Good Luck Lee whatever you choose to do next. Not sure that Birmingham would be the right move though, as on the face of it the look like club in turmoil. Take some time to do some fishing maybe.
What do you mean by proper support from TS.?
I meant that TS had shown already that he was prepared to back Lee and meant that he had not received proper support (funds for players, investment in backroom medical staff etc from others who had ownership/claim to ownership during Lee Bowyers time as manager).
I forgot to add yes the playoff at Wembley was a brilliant day out, but that season at the Valley was one big long party, and no idea of the numbers of the crowd, but they were all United in singing and creating a brilliant atmosphere time and time again, which takes some doing after what had gone before.
I think I have to say it is probably best for all concerned that LB and Charlton go their separate ways but nevertheless I wish him every success in his future career.
It was largely a great ride together. Getting us into the play-offs during his first season was a real success and I doubt anybody who was there will ever forget the Doncaster game or the Play-Off Final at Wembley the following year. So thanks for those wonderful memories.
And thanks for sticking with us through the dark days when the various crooks owned us. You helped keep the club alive until TS stepped in, so we owe you a huge debt for that.
Good luck where-ever you end up. And I look forward to giving you a standing ovation when you next come back to the Valley.
Comments
Delivered one of our best days ever, and then held things together on the pitch against a farcical backdrop.
Not sure what's gone wrong recently, but he deserves a standing ovation when we next meet. Good luck Lee.
Not surprised that his win rate made him the second best of all time through one of the toughest times for our club and supporters.
I wish you every success for the future except when you play us.
Don't want to take this off track but really.
Thank you Lee Bowyer, not just for the play-off glory at Wembley which was my finest and most memorable day as a Charlton supporter but for restoring some pride and credibility to the club when it was being run by chancers and crooks. It can't have been easy and you showed immense dignity and professionalism.
As someone else posted, Lee Bowyer was the thin red line between Charlton Athletic and complete chaos and meltdown.
I hope there is no more to this than meets the eye. I have had enough of boardroom shenanigans and disputes for one lifetime.
He had been working with his hands tied behind his back from the moment he took the reins and the team he managed to put together for this season was way short of the standard of players that he, Jacko and Gallen would have reasonably be expected to end up with. The embargo and wage cap made sure of that.
Taylor got us relegated, Southall told bare faced lies to Bow and Jako, the embargo and wage cap left them deep in the shyte.....Christ, we were screwed before the season even started and we were left with a squad ‘thrown together’ rather than logically and carefully thought out. I saw that and was very very unconvinced from the word go.....and so it proved.
He helped put a team together that could have gone places after Wembley but within the blink of an eye it was torn apart before our eyes and we were left struggling.....nothing to do with Bow, just the lousy hand he was left holding.
I wanted him to build again and see how it went until Christmas, if not seeing a good enough improvement, then time to think again.
The truth is, we will never know how good he might have been given the right circumstances.
I was prepared to have a degree of loyalty and faith to wait and find out.....many of you, much to my dismay, illogically weren’t.
I've always (probably rather with heart rather than head) wanted him to stay. He cares about this club - really cares. There have been so many times where I thought he would go and just be done with all the ownership nonsense that happened. He took us on that playoff run and within a few points of staying in the Championship. His achievements under awful conditions should not be understated and his dedication to keep going through adversity should be both respected and acknowledged. Whilst we may have gone almost full circle as to where we were when he first came in, he is a big, big reason as to why TS invested in the club and we have that relative stability now.
This season has been disappointing - players he has brought in have underperformed, not worked or not bought in to his thinking. He has some culpability here and I think that (most likely, albeit mathematically still possible) missing out on playoffs represent an underperformance for this club and this squad of players. I did believe that, given our January purchases, we'd have the depth, but we've been leaking too many goals and not creating anywhere near as many goal-scoring opportunities as I thought these players would provide. LB has respectfully walked away - no shame, no drama. Just a squad that I think he has accepted he could do no more with and wants to give the club the very best opportunity to create a team that can get automatic promotion next season.
I think I see it as acceptance that he didn't want to rebuild again, and quite honestly with what he as gone through, I understand where he is coming from. I personally wished that he'd have taken that chance to build another squad, but I think as soon as he realistically knew that the playoffs were as good as gone, he wanted to step away. His motivations could well be the chance of another job elsewhere, but I wouldn't begrudge him this.
Second season he got us promoted with one of the best memories at Wembley I will ever have.
Third season be worked against all odds to almost beat the impossible and keep us up.
This season just seemed one too far and he has not looked happy and made many baffling decisions and comments.
It was time (in fact a month or two past it), but he has definitely carved out his piece of history and will deserve the standing ovation that he will definitely get when next back at The Valley.
I'm very glad that it seems you've got an option to further your career at somewhere that you're also held in high esteem.
Thanks for all your commitment, hard work and rekindling the spirit of this club after so many had worked so hard to rip it out.
Thank you Lee Bowyer, for everything.
But I fecking hate the blue noses so there’s no way I’m wishing you good luck on that one 😳
It was largely a great ride together. Getting us into the play-offs during his first season was a real success and I doubt anybody who was there will ever forget the Doncaster game or the Play-Off Final at Wembley the following year. So thanks for those wonderful memories.
And thanks for sticking with us through the dark days when the various crooks owned us. You helped keep the club alive until TS stepped in, so we owe you a huge debt for that.
Good luck where-ever you end up. And I look forward to giving you a standing ovation when you next come back to the Valley.