Sheridan on rescue mission

John Sheridan - back for another going in charge of Athletic

JOHN Sheridan is to return to Athletic as manager.

The 51 year old will swap his current job at Newport County to take on a league relegation rescue mission, having met with Athletic chairman Simon Corney yesterday.

The swoop was set to be rubber-stamped today, with no compensation due to the Rodney Parade club due to Sheridan’s short-term contract status.

Previous Athletic manager David Dunn was told by Corney that his services were no longer required after a run of poor results left the club 22nd in the table. In 20 games in charge he had won three, without claiming three points at home throughout his tenure. Also gone are Dunn’s first-team coach Keith Brown and assistant Dean Holden.

Sheridan’s first game back at Athletic for the fourth time will be at Bradford City on Saturday.

He becomes the fifth manager for the side in under a year.

The former Republic of Ireland midfielder is the first candidate with previous managerial experience to be appointed permanently since Dave Penney in 2009.

Athletic turned to Sheridan after exploring options including former Brentford interim manager Lee Carsley and another former manager, Iain Dowie. Dowie’s contractual requirements were out of the club’s financial reach.

It is not yet clear the sort of scope Sheridan will be given to reshape his squad, given strict financial constraints at Athletic, five points adrift of relegation safety.

Athletic bosses put on record their gratitude to the outgoing management

“I’d like to place on record my thanks and gratitude to David Dunn for his tireless efforts over the past four months under extremely difficult circumstances, and wish him well for the future,” read a statement from Corney.

“Dean Holden has been a loyal and dedicated servant to the club and he leaves with our gratitude and best wishes.”