It's clear that this is a difficult day for everyone concerned with our famous football club.
Obviously, we ALL want success on the pitch but there are so many other ingredients that combine to attract new supporters & retain the loyalty of existing stalwarts.
And to maintain the respect that other clubs have for our own.
Having the ownership in a safe & indeed ambitious pair of hands is clearly a huge positive, especially after years of uncaring, careless stewardship which ultimately threatened the very existence of Charlton Athletic.
But ultimately, it's a successful manager whose name comes immediately to mind when a football club is mentioned.....and over the past 39 years we have been fortunate to have had several memorable guys holding the reins.
Following Lennie Lawrence's Houdini leadership years, popular former players Gritt & Curbishley were handed the baton before the latter took sole control in 1995 & 3 years later, the hard fought journey to the Land of Milk & Money was finally made.
Since those heady days, and following Curbs' exit, managers have come & gone and with the notable exception of another former player, Chris Powell who was welcomed with open arms by the faithful and became a great favourite, there were "others" appointed whose names will not live on in our memories for the right reasons....
But, despite the lack of interest & direction of the Belgian owner, in the summer of 2017 another former Addick renewed his acquaintance with the club he'd joined as a schoolboy & joined Karl Robinson as his assistant. And just 8 months later, Lee Bowyer's first managerial role was rubber stamped.....and the rest is history.
Lifers have successfully detailed the following 3 years so I won't dwell on them, suffice to say that the first 18 months were an absolute joy with the ultimate crowning glory of another trip to Wembley . What a season that had been under a young gaffer who had serendipitously arrived , fresh from his fishing lakes in France. The love between manager & fans AND the players was almost tangible....especially bearing in mind this success was despite the ongoing ownership issues.
But said issues only increased in intensity as we are all too well aware.
Another manager with less character & resilience ( and possibly less bloody mindedness!) would have walked away for sure.
But OUR Bow is no shrinking violet & regardless of the shenanigans behind the scenes, he got on with the job manfully along with his able assistant, Jacko. And gave another season in League One his best shot...that should never be questioned.
Maybe the different pressures felt under a new owner, or indeed the sheer fatigue of fighting against the odds for so long, finally took their toll on our brave gaffer and it's clear to many of us that his spark was beginning to fade. I site the autumn international break in 2020 as being the point after which he seemed to start to lose his way....and I'm certain that Lifers will agree it was a worrying sight.
Whatever the reasons behind today's resignation ( and I feel sure they were difficult & complex) Bow's health & well being and that of his young family are paramount. It is hard watching a positive, energetic leader lose his mojo and we all fervently hope that he rediscovers that energy & positivity he has recently lacked.
Bow leaves with our very best wishes for his future career but most importantly, for his happiness. Our great memories of his tenure will long remain with us and we can only hope that he too will treasure the positives of the past 3 year period.
It was a pleasure to "borrow " you for that short time, Bow. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Your name has joined the list that fans of other clubs will quote when asked " Who were Charlton's most famous managers ?"
Seconding what a lot of other posters have said about the positives of Lee's time in charge - an improved relationship between the club and the fans, a great atmosphere back at the Valley again, getting to the play-offs two years running, and the fantastic memories of the home leg against Doncaster and of course Wembley. And then last season, despite a pretty much unprecedented injury crisis, the disappointment of losing Connor Gallagher in January, all the upheaval of the ESI shenanigans and the Covid restrictions in the background, plus Lyle Taylor throwing his toys out of the pram, he was only a couple of minutes away from keeping us up. It's a shame that recently he's seemed a bit burnt out by the experience.
Good luck Lee, and thank you. I hope the fresh start works out well for all of us
I’ve been vocal in my disappointment for this season, and agree that this is the right move for all parties.
With that said, Bowyer is a legend of this club and will always be fondly remembered for that promotion season and the dedication he showed.
Wish him nothing but the best of luck.
Exactly how i feel. Gave us the greatest day out following Charlton for a generation (possibly ever for a lot of people) and stood by us when he could've walked at any point in the past 18 months.
A move that is best for all, we needed a change, he looked lost in recent weeks but he gets the chance to move on without being sacked.
Even though i've always hated Birmingham, i wish him well.
“We still have a good relationship with him, we wish him all the best in
his career. Of course you’re always surprised when
something like this happens but it’s probably not in the category of the
biggest surprises in my life.”
Thank you Lee for your significant and memeroble time as manager at our great club. To return as a coach then step up and provide stability during the most turbulent period in the club's history. Without doubt the right appointment and the right time. Wembley - enough said. Recent form and fan expectations has forced this situation but I'd like to think you see this as your first foray into management. All the very best and hope to see you back at the Valley one day - in any capacity. Enjoy fishing for a while.
Thank you Lee for the memories. Thank you for that day at Wembley in 2019. The following season we where so close to staying up . Remember we had the lowest budget and all the of field shenanigans. This season not so good. Also remember it’s his first job and yes he has made mistakes but we have all done that in our lives. Plus like others have said he held his dignity last season and before Thomas this season. Since Curbs Lee is in the top two managers we have had. So Thanks Lee
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.
Everything said above by grumpyaddick . Thanks Lee for being there when we needed you. best wishes for everything you do in the future......respect!
I have to say I'm gutted he has gone. I was one of the people hoping he would get a full summer to get his squad together. Thanks Lee, for the great day out a Wembley and for sticking by us when we looked as though we were going bust. Good luck in your new job, (I don't like Birmingham, but in this instance I hope you're successful). Thanks again for the last 3 years.
Genuinely thanks to you Lee for taking a job nobody wanted, for sticking around in a job where nobody else would have done so and working with extreme circumstances.
The most impressive thing is the way you have held yourself during this period, bitten your tongue and just gone about your business.
You'll always be welcome back at the Valley in my eyes and I hope your learning journey continues
I genuinely think Bowyer really wanted to get us back to the premiership. We some great times with him with Doncaster away and Wembley being particularly stand out days but the feeling around the club as we were united in Lee Bowyer’s red abs white army was electric.
I’m sorry it’s worked out this way and wish him all the best.
It’s been said that it is better to be a lucky manager than
a good one. Maybe so, but can anyone imagine having been an unluckier manager than
Bows over the time he’s been here? Poor bloke has had to deal with an avalanche
of shite since his appointment, including sorting out the original contract under
Roland the idiot.
And from then on it only got worse, yet he steadied the
sinking ship, which would have been an achievement in itself, reignited the Our
Charlton feeling, and more amazingly still got us into the play-offs in his
first half-season and promoted in his first full season.
He made a valiant attempt at keeping us in the championship,
failing only due to betrayals by ownership and certain players, as well as a
handful of abysmal refereeing decisions. Yet still he stayed.
He worked hard with his team to build a squad on tuppence,
and even when TS came charging to the rescue, the wage cap kicked poor old Lee
yet again.
If you take a moment to consider if comparable circumstances
befell you in your own job, how many of us would have stood it? Forget hanging
on for a pay-off, I’m sure Lee doesn’t need money that badly. He and his immediate
back room team kept things together in the face of all kinds of crap that no
manager should have to deal with. I strongly suspect that without those guys,
there may well be no Charlton. And throughout that, he kept his counsel, remained
professional and very classy, and focused on the things he could control. I wasn’t
sure about his appointment, but he impressed me massively since his arrival.
It’s turned a bit flat recently after that run of performances,
but looking at the bigger picture of his tenure, I thank him and wish him every
success in his future career. Will get a standing ovation from me when he
returns.
I think he’s probably leaving at the right time and I fully
understand why he feels he needs a change.
Thanks, Lee, and all the best.
But I still wish you’d given Southall a beating on his way
out.
Decision taking, straight talking, digging in, great values you have Bows.
Thanks for restoring our great club to us fans, will always be grateful.
Fate and disloyal players (Taylor, Phillips) cost us a future together in the championship.
Good Luck Lee, you'll always be a red!!
LB was the right manager at the right time and may well have been the key to saving our club. Would TS have come in if we had been in an even bigger mess than we were? He restored my faith in Charlton after the disillusion of the Duchatelet years. The promotion season was fantastic and being at Wembley for a second play-off final with friends and family will never be forgottten.
It’s been said that it is better to be a lucky manager than
a good one. Maybe so, but can anyone imagine having been an unluckier manager than
Bows over the time he’s been here? Poor bloke has had to deal with an avalanche
of shite since his appointment, including sorting out the original contract under
Roland the idiot.
And from then on it only got worse, yet he steadied the
sinking ship, which would have been an achievement in itself, reignited the Our
Charlton feeling, and more amazingly still got us into the play-offs in his
first half-season and promoted in his first full season.
He made a valiant attempt at keeping us in the championship,
failing only due to betrayals by ownership and certain players, as well as a
handful of abysmal refereeing decisions. Yet still he stayed.
He worked hard with his team to build a squad on tuppence,
and even when TS came charging to the rescue, the wage cap kicked poor old Lee
yet again.
If you take a moment to consider if comparable circumstances
befell you in your own job, how many of us would have stood it? Forget hanging
on for a pay-off, I’m sure Lee doesn’t need money that badly. He and his immediate
back room team kept things together in the face of all kinds of crap that no
manager should have to deal with. I strongly suspect that without those guys,
there may well be no Charlton. And throughout that, he kept his counsel, remained
professional and very classy, and focused on the things he could control. I wasn’t
sure about his appointment, but he impressed me massively since his arrival.
It’s turned a bit flat recently after that run of performances,
but looking at the bigger picture of his tenure, I thank him and wish him every
success in his future career. Will get a standing ovation from me when he
returns.
I think he’s probably leaving at the right time and I fully
understand why he feels he needs a change.
Thanks, Lee, and all the best.
But I still wish you’d given Southall a beating on his way
out.
Brilliant post Idlehands.
I hope Lee can recharge his batteries he had looked a broken man recently. What a job he has done under absolutely crazy circumstances.
I've got mixed feelings on this. I really like the guy and am a little sad that he's gone, but I also believe that it was the right time for him to go.
I'm glad for him (and TS) that he walked rather than getting sacked, but it was inevitable that something major needed to change.
Good luck Lee, I hope that you find success elsewhere (except against us).
Bit late to the well wishes but all the best to him, got critical and disappointed of his selections/ tactics/ pressers but really wanted him to turn it around.
Hopefully a change of scenery will see the Bow we first had return. He may no longer be with us but young, hungry successful English managers is always welcomed.
Comments
Obviously, we ALL want success on the pitch but there are so many other ingredients that combine to attract new supporters & retain the loyalty of existing stalwarts.
And to maintain the respect that other clubs have for our own.
Having the ownership in a safe & indeed ambitious pair of hands is clearly a huge positive, especially after years of uncaring, careless stewardship which ultimately threatened the very existence of Charlton Athletic.
But ultimately, it's a successful manager whose name comes immediately to mind when a football club is mentioned.....and over the past 39 years we have been fortunate to have had several memorable guys holding the reins.
Following Lennie Lawrence's Houdini leadership years, popular former players Gritt & Curbishley were handed the baton before the latter took sole control in 1995 & 3 years later, the hard fought journey to the Land of Milk & Money was finally made.
Since those heady days, and following Curbs' exit, managers have come & gone and with the notable exception of another former player, Chris Powell who was welcomed with open arms by the faithful and became a great favourite, there were "others" appointed whose names will not live on in our memories for the right reasons....
But, despite the lack of interest & direction of the Belgian owner, in the summer of 2017 another former Addick renewed his acquaintance with the club he'd joined as a schoolboy & joined Karl Robinson as his assistant. And just 8 months later, Lee Bowyer's first managerial role was rubber stamped.....and the rest is history.
Lifers have successfully detailed the following 3 years so I won't dwell on them, suffice to say that the first 18 months were an absolute joy with the ultimate crowning glory of another trip to Wembley . What a season that had been under a young gaffer who had serendipitously arrived , fresh from his fishing lakes in France. The love between manager & fans AND the players was almost tangible....especially bearing in mind this success was despite the ongoing ownership issues.
But said issues only increased in intensity as we are all too well aware.
Another manager with less character & resilience ( and possibly less bloody mindedness!) would have walked away for sure.
But OUR Bow is no shrinking violet & regardless of the shenanigans behind the scenes, he got on with the job manfully along with his able assistant, Jacko. And gave another season in League One his best shot...that should never be questioned.
Maybe the different pressures felt under a new owner, or indeed the sheer fatigue of fighting against the odds for so long, finally took their toll on our brave gaffer and it's clear to many of us that his spark was beginning to fade. I site the autumn international break in 2020 as being the point after which he seemed to start to lose his way....and I'm certain that Lifers will agree it was a worrying sight.
Whatever the reasons behind today's resignation ( and I feel sure they were difficult & complex) Bow's health & well being and that of his young family are paramount. It is hard watching a positive, energetic leader lose his mojo and we all fervently hope that he rediscovers that energy & positivity he has recently lacked.
Bow leaves with our very best wishes for his future career but most importantly, for his happiness. Our great memories of his tenure will long remain with us and we can only hope that he too will treasure the positives of the past 3 year period.
It was a pleasure to "borrow " you for that short time, Bow. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Your name has joined the list that fans of other clubs will quote when asked " Who were Charlton's most famous managers ?"
Lennie
Curbs
Powelly
Bow.
Simply the Best.
A move that is best for all, we needed a change, he looked lost in recent weeks but he gets the chance to move on without being sacked.
Even though i've always hated Birmingham, i wish him well.
best wishes for everything you do in the future......respect!
Thanks Lee, for the great day out a Wembley and for sticking by us when we looked as though we were going bust.
Good luck in your new job, (I don't like Birmingham, but in this instance I hope you're successful).
Thanks again for the last 3 years.
The most impressive thing is the way you have held yourself during this period, bitten your tongue and just gone about your business.
You'll always be welcome back at the Valley in my eyes and I hope your learning journey continues
I’m sorry it’s worked out this way and wish him all the best.
It’s been said that it is better to be a lucky manager than a good one. Maybe so, but can anyone imagine having been an unluckier manager than Bows over the time he’s been here? Poor bloke has had to deal with an avalanche of shite since his appointment, including sorting out the original contract under Roland the idiot.
And from then on it only got worse, yet he steadied the sinking ship, which would have been an achievement in itself, reignited the Our Charlton feeling, and more amazingly still got us into the play-offs in his first half-season and promoted in his first full season.
He made a valiant attempt at keeping us in the championship, failing only due to betrayals by ownership and certain players, as well as a handful of abysmal refereeing decisions. Yet still he stayed.
He worked hard with his team to build a squad on tuppence, and even when TS came charging to the rescue, the wage cap kicked poor old Lee yet again.
If you take a moment to consider if comparable circumstances befell you in your own job, how many of us would have stood it? Forget hanging on for a pay-off, I’m sure Lee doesn’t need money that badly. He and his immediate back room team kept things together in the face of all kinds of crap that no manager should have to deal with. I strongly suspect that without those guys, there may well be no Charlton. And throughout that, he kept his counsel, remained professional and very classy, and focused on the things he could control. I wasn’t sure about his appointment, but he impressed me massively since his arrival.
It’s turned a bit flat recently after that run of performances, but looking at the bigger picture of his tenure, I thank him and wish him every success in his future career. Will get a standing ovation from me when he returns.
I think he’s probably leaving at the right time and I fully understand why he feels he needs a change.
Thanks, Lee, and all the best.
But I still wish you’d given Southall a beating on his way out.
I'm glad for him (and TS) that he walked rather than getting sacked, but it was inevitable that something major needed to change.
Good luck Lee, I hope that you find success elsewhere (except against us).
Hopefully a change of scenery will see the Bow we first had return. He may no longer be with us but young, hungry successful English managers is always welcomed.