Parkinson to manage Addicks revival
Charlton have placed their trust in Phil Parkinson to steer the club away from the wrong end of the Championship table, the club announced on Wednesday.
Parkinson, who has been overseeing first-team matters on a caretaker basis, has now been confirmed as the club's permanent new manager.
And football club board chairman Richard Murray has revealed that Charlton will be looking to bring as many as four new players into the club in January.
He said: "After discussing the situation yesterday, the overwhelming feeling was that Phil was the best man to lead us and rescue us from our current plight.
"With 20 matches remaining this season, we were aware that time was an issue, particularly with the January transfer window opening on Thursday.
"Phil knows the players, knows the strengths and weaknesses of the side, and has huge Football League experience. Perhaps most importantly, he is a strong character, and knows how to battle against adversity."
Parkinson was hailed as one of the brightest managerial talents in the country when he led Colchester United into the Championship in 2006.
He was linked with the Charlton job the following summer following the departure of then Valley boss Alan Curbishley, but was denied permission by United to speak to the Addicks about the role.
He subsequently took charge of Hull City where, despite only staying six months, he recruited a number of the players - including Michael Turner, Sam Ricketts and Dean Marney - currently impressing for the Tigers in the Premier League.
Parkinson joined the Addicks as assistant manager to Alan Pardew in January 2007, stepping up to the top job following Pardew's departure in late November, and has presided over a marked improvement in performances, although this has not been reflected by results.
Charlton received a number of applications and enquiries regarding the vacant Valley hotseat, but the board judged that it was Parkinson who was best placed to oversee an Addicks revival.
"There has been a lot of hard work behind the scenes and performances have improved, although that hasn't been shown by results yet," said Richard.
"We've looked at the alternatives, but the calls and discussions we've had, given the current situation, have led us to conclude that there is no one better than Phil to turn things around, and we believe any money the club currently has to invest must be spent on the pitch.
"Changing managers and the backroom staff comes at a very high cost, and it's clear we need to focus any investment on the pitch because that is what will really influence matters entering a hugely important period for the club.
"We need someone who can operate smartly during the January window and someone in place for the biggest game of the season, our next league match against Nottingham Forest on January 10th when it's absolutely vital to pick up three points."
He added: "I've been greatly impressed by Phil's motivational skills, and with Mark Kinsella and Phil Chapple, both of whom have Charlton running through their veins, supporting him, we feel they are capable of doing the job that is required.
"The board will also provide as much support as possible, and it's clear that we need to look at bringing a number of players, maybe three or four, to the club as soon as possible."
That view was backed by Charlton plc chairman Derek Chappell, who said: "It looks like January will be a busy month for us.
"Not only are we going to be investing in players, we have a large squad and we need to look at moving some players out as well.
"We firmly believe the cash that is available needs to be used on the pitch, not on a very expensive management restructure."
Parkinson, who has so far overseen eight matches, will take charge of the club for the first time in his new permanent position against Norwich City in the FA Cup on Saturday.
"Phil now has the authority to act quickly in the window to make the changes we feel are needed to the squad ahead of a vitally important four months," said Addicks chief executive Steve Waggott.
"I think everyone would agree we have underperformed this season, and it was therefore obvious that, with limited time and resources, we needed someone with strong views on how to get the club out of trouble, and how to do it quickly."
"We all believe Phil is the man to get us out of our current plight."
Parkinson himself said he was over the moon to become only the 19th permanent manager in Charlton's history.
"I'm obviously delighted with the board's decision, and I fully intend to make the most of this opportunity," he said.
"January is a very important time for the club and while we are in a similar position to most Championship clubs with little money around, it's up to us to wheel and deal to the best of our ability to improve the squad and give us a fighting chance of staying in the division."
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