'Joke of a club' - Latics fans react furiously to Kewell's sacking

Date published: 08 March 2021


Fans and a former Latics legend have reacted angrily to the news of Harry Kewell’s departure overnight.

Aussie boss Kewell (42) was sacked last night (Sunday) after just over six months in charge.

He was the eighth manager to have left Latics since club owner Abdallah Lemsagam took over at Boundary Park in early 2018.

Richie Wellens, Frankie Bunn, Pete Wild (twice), Paul Scholes, Laurent Banide and Dino Maamria also preceeded Kewell, with none of them being given much more than six months to turn fortunes around.

Latics currently sit in a hugely disappointing 16th place in League Two, and a dogfight to avoid the dreaded drop into non-league is still not beyond the realms of possibility following Saturday’s dismal goalless home draw against second-bottom Southend.

Former Latics striker Ian Marshall has Tweeted his reaction, saying: “Oldham Athletic absolute shambles!!!!

“Feel for the fans the club in total meltdown it hurts!!!

“Whether you think Kewell was doing a good job or not! Give the lad a chance.”

Johnny Haseldin added: “Harry should have insisted on strengthening the defence in January or walked.

“On the pitch we haven't been good enough for majority of the season.

“We have lost 11 league games at home!”

Luke_oafc simply posted: “Joke of a club,” while Mark Hughes Tweeted: “Absolute shambles.

“I'd love it if every single coach out there said "no thank you, I'm not working with you imbeciles".

“Sadly, someone will take the job.

“And then by summer they'll be out, and we start the whole charade again.”

Clearly fans’ group Push the Boundary are distinctly unimpressed too.

In a statement, they have said: “Here we go again.

“The revolving door at Boundary Park continues to spin.

“As a club (and ultimately as a fanbase) we are set to enter another period of uncertainty, another period of change.

“In the last few years, managers have come and gone in quick succession but the one constant that it is impossible to ignore is that the custodians of this club continue to act without thought to the legacy they are destroying with each passing moment they are at the helm.

“What also stands out is how the current structure at the club, in terms of recruitment and the working relationship between the head coach/sporting director is not working.

“Our club needs an urgent overhaul of the footballing structure before a new head coach/ manager is brought in.

“For the integrity of the club, the town and the long suffering fans it represents, we are calling on Abdallah and (Sporting Director) Mohamed Lemsagam to rethink their current “vision” for the club.”

Meanwhile, former Northampton, Carlisle and Mansfield Town boss Keith Curle has already been installed as the odds-on favourite to succeed Kewell with one bookmaker.

Also in the frame at this early stage are Paul Butler, current Latics Academy boss Paul Murray, Ian Holloway, ex-manager John Sheridan, Sol Campbell and Latics legend Neil Redfearn.


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