Dowie is a great man to work for — Holden

DEAN Holden admits he relished his time working with Iain Dowie, the man odds-on favourite to take the job as Athletic manager.

Caretaker boss Holden, who took Athletic’s squad south this morning ahead of tomorrow’s clash at bottom-club Yeovil, remains on good terms with Dowie.

Chairman Simon Corney is set to talk with the 50 year old this weekend over a potential return.

“I loved it,” said Holden of his time under Dowie at Athletic 12 years ago . “He’s a real team manager, who got involved in everything. He was on the training ground and in the gym and spent every hour he could to try to have some success here.

As for the way his own role has changed since stepping up from first-team coach to manager: “Nothing has changed really. I’m still in the changing room having a laugh with the lads. I’ve tried to just stay myself.

“I believe in trying to help people. whether you have manager above your door or you are a coach or even a player, I have always been honest and that gets you a certain amount of respect.

Athletic, 11th in the league, are three points shy of Doncaster in sixth, with a game in hand.

With 13 fixtures left, at least eight wins are likely to be needed for a chance of a play-off place.

Holden warns it won’t be easy at Yeovil tomorrow despite their lowly status and is seeking the same work-rate from his players as in evidence in the Port Vale win.