Kelly is shock choice as Latics manager

Darren Kelly: the new Athletic boss will look to play an attractive style.

DARREN Kelly has been unveiled as Athletic’s new first-team manager in an extraordinary and controversial move that has already caused a backlash among fans.

The unheralded 35 year old, who has for the past five months been coaching within Sunderland’s academy squad, is believed to have told been late last week by chairman Simon Corney that he had landed the job.

Dean Holden, who took charge of his final game in a 1-1 draw at home to Peterborough on Sunday, has been named Kelly’s assistant.

With contractual details tied up, the Derry-born coach was confirmed as boss on stage at last night’s end-of-season awards’ dinner where the rookie accepted he faces the task of winning over the doubters.

“I will take this club forward,” Kelly was quoted as saying. “I can understand supporters’ frustration but every expert had to start somewhere. If I didn’t think I could do a good job, I wouldn’t be here. We need bums on seats and I firmly believe we will move forward.

“Who am I? I need to prove it and I have no problem in doing that. I guarantee one thing, I will work hard to bring success to this club. I have watched a lot of games this season and I know what it needs to get out of this league.

“It is a massive challenge. I am a massive risk. I will have a creative style of play and we will play attractive football.”

Kelly is believed to have been down to the final three in Notts County’s recent manager search and was also interviewed for a role at Bolton.

Corney justified the appointment of Kelly — who has never played as high as League One — by stating that he has put together a “fresh and dynamic” management team.

“From the moment we met him, Darren impressed the board with his infectious enthusiasm, undoubted drive and energy and a confidence in his ability to deliver success for our football club,” he said.

“Coupled with his extensive coaching experience, knowledge of what is required to be successful in League One and a commitment to developing players at all levels we believe he is the right person to oversee the rebuilding of the football side of our club.”

Kelly, a Derry-born former Carlisle and York City centre-back who holds a UEFA Pro Licence qualification, becomes the third managerial newcomer to take on the Oldham hot-seat after Paul Dickov and Lee Johnson.

But Kelly has some work ahead of him with Athletic’s shell-shocked fans. One poll saw the approval rating for Kelly’s appointment at only 6.49 per cent last night.



ATHLETIC midfielder Carl Winchester picked up the Talking Point player of the season and Alex Williams Believe and Achieve young player of the season, voted for by fans, gongs at last night’s awards ceremony.

Mike Jones was the Trust Oldham player of the season and players’ player of the season.

Dominic Poleon was the Boundary Blues player of the season, while his strike against Sheffield United earned him goal of the season.

twitter: @Matt_Chambers_