Darren Kelly has been sacked as Oldham Athletic manager just nine games into his tenure.
Latics’ 5-1 home reverse at the hands of managerless Peterborough this afternoon was the final nail in the 36-year-old’s coffin, with the announcement coming just over an hour after the full time whistle.
The Northern Irishman, who had no prior experience as a senior team coach or manager, struggled to win over fans following his appointment in May, at which time chairman Simon Corney called him the best of “over 100” applicants for the job left vacant by Lee Johnson.
“Oldham Athletic can confirm that first team manager, Darren Kelly, is no longer in charge of first team affairs at the club,” read the club statement.
“The Board of Directors would like to place on record their thanks to Darren for his contribution to the development of the club during his tenure and wish him well for the future.
“The club will not be seeking any applications for the role of first team manager at this time and can also confirm that all the current coaching staff will remain in their respective roles.
“The club will not be making any further comment on this matter at the present time.”
Assistant manager Dean Holden, who stepped in as caretaker manager following Johnson’s Barnsley switch, will reportedly prepare the team for next week’s game at Doncaster while the board searches for a permanent replacement.
In seven Sky Bet League One games this season, Oldham have scored just six goals and are without a win since mid-August. After going unbeaten for the opening five fixtures, the side have now endured back-to-back league defeats.
Boos rang out at half time and full time as Peterborough, led by interim boss Grant McCann, swept Latics’ weak defence aside en route to a 5-1 victory.
After falling into a 2-0 deficit inside 38 minutes through strikes from Lee Angol and Erhun Oztumer, Rhys Murphy pulled one back for the hosts before half time.
But a quick-fire Souleymane Coulibaly double after the break put the game beyond Athletic, before Angol grabbed his second and Posh’s fifth late on to complete the rout.
Kelly, whose suitability for the role had been questioned throughout the week following defeas to Shrewsbury and Bradford, was then absent from the post-match press conference before the announcement of his departure was made.
He becomes the second managerial dismissal of the season, after Dave Robertson parted ways with Peterborough last week.
Image courtesy of OAFC via YouTube, with thanks.
