Latics look to move fast

Photo: Darren Robinson

Oldham Athletic Chief Executive Neil Joy

ATHLETIC have handed themselves a two-week deadline to bring in a manager to replace John Sheridan.

The shock of the departure of Sheridan for Notts County continues to rankle with supporters and as a protest was held outside the club yesterday, the 51-year-old former boss detailed how he felt he had taken Athletic as far as he could.

After saving Athletic from relegation with two games to spare in Sky Bet League One, Sheridan hinted that recent developments ­- which have included meetings about next season's budget ­- helped persuade him to drop down a division and move to Meadow Lane.

CANDIDATES

For Athletic's part, though, the board have said they have already targeted candidates for the role and that the top end of the division is the goal for the 2016-17 season.

"Having been shocked and surprised by the departure of John Sheridan, we have to quickly put that disappointment behind us," said Athletic's chief executive Neil Joy.

"We have begun the process of finding a manager who can build a squad capable of challenging at the top end of Sky Bet League One and will look to appoint as soon as possible.

"Ideally we will have a manager in place by Monday, June 13, to enable squad building to take place in time for pre-season.

"We have already identified a number of possible candidates for the position so the process of making an appointment is well under way."

In his first press conference at Notts County, Sheridan ­- who expects his new club's transfer embargo to be lifted in the next week ­- said he did not want to experience what he feels will be a season of struggle next time around, despite a run of nine wins in his 22 games in charge on his return to SportsDirect.com Park this term.

"I have a lot of feeling for Oldham and the supporters were absolutely tremendous to me when I went back," said Sheridan, who stressed that it was a tough call personally to leave Athletic.

"I know they are disgruntled that I have left the club, but I just didn't think I could take Oldham any further.

"Even though I was preparing for next season and was positive about it, over the last couple of weeks I just got these feelings and thoughts asking, can I improve them?

"I don't want to go back and struggle after finishing the season so well.

"It all happened very quickly, but when this opportunity came along I felt it was the right thing to do."

Sheridan also said that the size of Notts County as a club made the move attractive.

ATTRACTIVE

"It is a really attractive proposition for me to come in and try to do what I've done of late and get the club back to where they belong," he added.

"First of all, that's getting the out of League Two and into League One.

"It's my instincts. I feel I can come in and if I can do well with them, it's a really big club to get going again."