Keith Curle sacked again

[Oldstripy]

Oldham Athletic head coach Keith Curle has left the League Two club by mutual consent after just eight months in charge at Boundary Park.

The Latics have won only one of their past nine games in all competitions and are currently third from bottom.

Tuesday's defeat away at Curle's former side Northampton was their 11th this term, more than any team in the league.

The ex-England international defender's exit comes as fans continue to protest against the club's ownership.

In a statement the Latics said: "The club would like to thank Keith for his efforts during his time at Boundary Park and would also like to wish him well for the future. His assistant Colin West has also been relieved of his duties.

"Selim Benachour will step up from the academy and take over as interim head coach for the time being, with the club making no further comment now as the team continues its preparations for the game at the weekend."

Curle, 58, who replaced Harry Kewell in March, took more than an hour to speak to the media following the loss at Northampton and said that he was not "shying away" from the club's position.

Asked by BBC Radio Manchester whether he was being supported by the club behind the scenes, including sporting director Mohamed Lemsagam, Curle said: "The support that I need comes on the pitch.

"The second-half performance, we need more of that. That's what gives us a chance and the opportunity to get the football club out of trouble and on the path to where we need to be."

The former Carlisle and Cobblers boss led the Latics to just nine wins from his 40 games in charge, and leaves with the club currently two points outside the relegation zone and in danger of dropping into the National League next season.

Curle's departure means that it is owner Abdallah Lemsagam's ninth change in head coach since his arrival at the club in 2018.

Oldham make the short trip to local rivals Salford City on Saturday before taking on Sunderland in the Papa John's Trophy next week.

'Oldham's revolving door spins again'
Analysis - BBC Radio Manchester's Mike Minay

It never got off the ground for Keith Curle. He was a stop-gap initially following the departure of Harry Kewell before taking on the role full-time in the summer.

There's no doubt he didn't get the time he wanted and he was always adamant he could pick up their fortunes once players returned from injuries, and maybe after some deals in the transfer window.

We will never know whether that would have happened, however.

The revolving door of managers at Oldham Athletic spins again. Fans struggled to warm to Curle and results didn't help that. But they'll now have to get behind a ninth managerial appointment under owner Abdallah Lemsagam.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59403830

[countygump]

Woth a look?

[uysapie]

Woth a look?

Seems that he wouldn't change a rigid 3 5 2 system. Familiar?

[the_anticlough]

Seems that he wouldn't change a rigid 3 5 2 system. Familiar?

What I remember from Curle's home games was 4-3-3 but all 3 midfielders held and the full-backs didn't get forward either. It was probably the most boring and frustrating stuff I've ever watched at Meadow Lane

[i961pie]

What I remember from Curle's home games was 4-3-3 but all 3 midfielders held and the full-backs didn't get forward either. It was probably the most boring and frustrating stuff I've ever watched at Meadow Lane

Yet we got to the dizzy heights of 7th in league one under him, what we would give to be there again.
His football was boring though.

[jackal2]

What I remember from Curle's home games was 4-3-3 but all 3 midfielders held and the full-backs didn't get forward either. It was probably the most boring and frustrating stuff I've ever watched at Meadow Lane

I think it's being generous to say he played with three forwards at home. All I remember is a lot of slow sideways passing, and when we did get the ball into the box, Yoann Arquin was often the lone target. Away from home, parking the bus and hitting teams on the counter worked well and we built up an extraordinary away record, but Curle's stubborn refusal to play a second striker rather than a midfielder at home cost us many results. With an away record like we had, even a moderately good home record would have rocketed us towards the top of the table, but he wouldn't budge and it cost him his job.

[OP67]

Woth a look?

0.4% better than IB Naaaaaaa I'd stick with what we have thanks.

[The_Don_ORiordan]

What I remember from Curle's home games was 4-3-3 but all 3 midfielders held and the full-backs didn't get forward either. It was probably the most boring and frustrating stuff I've ever watched at Meadow Lane

Agree entirely. Except remove the word probably.

[Elite_Pie]

Agree entirely. Except remove the word probably.

Did you both miss McParland's full season in charge? That took boredom and frustration to a whole new level.

[Rez1862]

Don't forget Gudjon. Remember that game he stuck Pipe and Wilson up top?!