Latics vow to discourage a Bolton bid for Sheridan

JOHN SHERIDAN

JOHN Sheridan has been targeted by Bolton to become their next manager — but Athletic will put up a fight to keep their talismanic boss if an approach comes.

Athletic's saviour this season, Sheridan has worked wonders to save the club from relegation. His impressive record has drawn the attention of relegated Wanderers, whose search for a manager has hit several dead ends after efforts to bring in Phil Brown and Chris Wilder appear to have fallen by the wayside.

The bookmakers' odds on the 51-year-old taking on the top job at the Macron Stadium tumbled from 11-2 to 5-4 yesterday, leaving him as the favourite for the role. The situation was a topic of discussion at the PFA Awards dinner on Sunday evening.

Compensation could be a major sticking point, with Bolton unable to afford the requisite figure to bring in Brown from Roots Hall. The club are also working under a transfer embargo at present.

For their part, Athletic officials are bullish about a club's future they see Sheridan very much being a part of.

"Following speculation surrounding Oldham Athletic manager John Sheridan, the club can confirm no approach for his services has been received and neither would any approach be welcomed," Athletic said in a statement yesterday.

MASTERMINDED

"John signed a two-and-a-half year contract back in January and has masterminded our SkyBet League One safety, which is a fantastic achievement considering the club’s league position at the time of his appointment.

"Planning is already well under way for next season and everyone at the club is looking forward to preparing for the 2016/17 campaign with John at the helm.

"The club will not be commenting further on this matter."

Sheridan is due to be present at tonight's Lancashire FA Youth Cup final.

Wanderers are bottom of the Championship with four wins all season. The club were confirmed as relegated three weeks ago and are expected to halve their wage bill in preparation for life in League One.

Andy Townsend is currently working for Bolton as a consultant. He knows Sheridan well, having been part of two World Cup squads for the Republic of Ireland together.

At the top level at the club, chairman Ken Anderson and chief executive Dean Holdsworth are reported to have had different ideas on who should succeed Neil Lennon as manager, but Sheridan is Anderson's choice.

With his players given time off from training until later in the week, the Athletic boss – who has another two years to run on his Athletic contract – was not available to comment on the speculation.

But he did speak after the defeat of Crewe of his hopes for next season, willingly placing pressure on his own shoulders to get Athletic competing in the top half of the division.

"Now, my focus is purely to get us out of the division," Sheridan said. "I like putting a bit of pressure on myself and I have said it before.

"We are going for the play-offs - or even automatic promotion. It will be a tough league and I have got to get the right players in.

"I did it the last time I was here and never finished outside the top eight. That is what I will look at and those are the goals that I set."

Athletic's manager also spoke warmly of his chairman, while stressing he will be making his own decisions at the club.

"While I have been here a short time, Simon Corney has backed me all the way and when I have needed a player he has responded straight away. It was also the case the last time I was here," Sheridan said.

"Simon knows what I am like and I would like to think I will make the decisions. I am not a 'yes' man and people know that.

"At the same time, I have grown up and don't jump in with both feet. If we don't achieve anything, it will be down to me.

"I don't get involved in the politics, I just want a winning team that puts a smile on everyone's face."

* ATHLETIC'S under-18s take on Blackpool at SportsDirect.com Park tonight in the final of the Lancashire FA Youth Cup (7pm kick-off).