Former Stoke boss spotted in stands ahead of ‘imminent appointment’
News from League One as Nathan Jones is close to returning to front line work in football
Nathan Jones was spotted watching at The Valley as the former Stoke City boss is expected to be confirmed as new Charlton Athletic manager.
Jones saw Charlton lose 1-0 at home to Derby County in League One ahead of his impending appointment as replacement for Michael Appleton, who himself had replaced former Stoke coach Dean Holden earlier this season. It means that Charlton have not won in 12 league matches and now hover only three points above the relegation zone.
It is cramped down at the bottom and there are a few familiar faces. Charlie Adam is manager of second-bottom Fleetwood, with 22 points; former Port Vale boss Darrell Clarke is at Cheltenham Town, on 23 points; Reading are on 28 points, fifth-bottom Vale are on 30 and Charlton are on 31. Burton (32), Exeter and Shrewsbury (33), Wycombe (34) and Cambridge (35) are all looking over their shoulder too.
Interim Charlton manager Curtis Fleming was asked if he had been told Jones would be coming in and told South London Press: “No, not really. I’m probably with you – we know something is going to happen, but until it is official then we have just got to keep plugging and going.
“He has looked at the game today and seen things I’d probably say he is happy with and also things that he will be thinking he can make a change with. The situation is not about me – at all. It is about if the head coach comes in then how are we going to get the win. Where I stand is I’ve worked very hard and I try to do my best but he could be coming in and then we just work from there.”
