Athletic appoint Bunn as manager

WELCOME ABOARD: New Athletic boss Frankie Bunn with owner Abdallah Lemsagam

Athletic have announced Frankie Bunn as their new first team manager on a one-year deal.

Bunn replaces Richie Wellens in the Boundary Park hot seat after he was sacked last Friday.

Former Athletic striker Bunn made 88 appearances and scored 35 goals for the club between 1987 and 1990, before his career was cut short through injury.

He famously scored six goals in a third round League Cup tie against Scarborough, a record which still stands to this day.

Following his playing career Bunn held a number of coaching roles at clubs such as Wigan Athletic, Coventry City, Manchester City, Rochdale and most recently Huddersfield Town.

At Coventry, he was appointed caretaker manager before returning to his first-team coach role at the club under Chris Coleman.

Throughout his time in coaching he has worked to develop young players and bring through the next generation of talent at clubs such as Manchester City - where he held the role of reserve manager - and Huddersfield - where he was a professional development coach working closely with their academy and under-18s.

Speaking about the appointment, Athletic owner Abdallah Lemsagam said: “We are delighted to welcome Frankie Bunn to the club as first team manager.

“He knows the club very well from his playing time here and he has a wealth of experience working with young talent which has impressed me.

“I believe he can take the club forward and give Boundary Park something to cheer about.”

Bunn will be a surprise appointment to many outside Oldham. He wasn't among the list of bookies' favourites for the role.

However, fellow Athletic legend Andy Ritchie backed him to take over when he spoke to the Chronicle following Wellens' departure.

A press conference will be held this afternoon to introduce Frankie as manager.