Holden deserves step up, says Corney

Dean Holden: now Athletic’s assistant manager

SIMON Corney heralded the work done by Dean Holden when naming him as new top man Darren Kelly’s assistant.

Athletic's chairman believes the new number two, who starts officially on June 1, did a good job in guiding the team to a 15th-place finish in League One despite tough circumstances with a host of men going missing during his reign.

Previously first-team coach before stepping into the breach when Lee Johnson left the club in February, Holden has earned what his chairman describes as a step up

“He thoroughly deserves a promotion to his new position and I would like to place on record my gratitude to him for the way he has handled the manager role over the last two months,” Corney said.

“He has worked tirelessly in very difficult circumstances and proved, what we believed when he originally joined us, that he will be a real asset to the management team at Oldham Athletic.

“I am incredibly excited by the new team we have in place. Darren is a natural leader and the plans he has in place for our club fill me with confidence for our future success.”