Real Madrid and AC Milan legend Clarence Seedorf has become a shock candidate for the Oldham job as the Latics prepare for this Saturday’s tough clash at Portsmouth.
The four-time Champions League winner was given a tour of Oldham’s Boundary Park facilities and dined with the club’s chairman at Manchester’s Australasia restaurant on Thursday night.
The midfield legend would join a cohort of Dutch stars, unfazed by the challenge lower league English football brings as Edgar Davids (Barnet), Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (Burton, Qpr and Northampton) and Jaap Stam (Reading) have all made a stir.
It hasn’t always worked out, but given Oldham’s current predicament, a big name like Seedorf might provide the Latics with the spark they need to avoid fighting relegation for the third straight season.
It would be quite the change of scenery for the 41-year-old having entertained crowds at some of the biggest teams in the world including Ajax, Real Madrid and both of the Milan sides.
Played at the San Siro, played at the Bernabeu clear he wants to manage at the Ultimate footballing Mecca that is Boundary Park #oafc
— Thomas O’Dea (@Tom_OAFC) September 28, 2017
Managing Oldham would bring a different challenge though with the Latics firmly rooted in the relegation zone, culminating in the departure of three-time manager John Sheridan last weekend following an embarrassing 5-1 defeat at the hands of Rotherham.
Oldham travel to Portsmouth this weekend, sitting second bottom in League One with seven points from ten matches as their opponents lie safely in 11th.
The Latics defied the odds in their previous match though, overcoming an in-form Peterborough side, despite being reduced to ten men following Brian Wilson’s dismissal shortly before the hour mark.
Their opponents this weekend have had a sketchy season so far, but with a decent home record and – like Oldham – having tasted victory in midweek with a comfortable win against Bristol Rovers; will expect another three points against the struggling Latics.
Caretaker boss, Richie Wellens, will be missing Eoin Doyle as the striker picked up an injury in the latter stages of the Peterborough clash but fit-again Aaron Amadi-Holloway is expected to replace him.
Whether Wellens will be in charge for the Latics next league clash against local rivals Blackburn remains to be seen though as Oldham could be enjoying Dutch Delight by then.
Image courtesy of Oxford Union, with thanks.
