CHARLTON ATHLETIC CONFIRM DEPARTURE

Charlton Athletic have today confirmed the departure of first-team Assistant Manager Paul Hart after he returned to the club to link up with Nathan Jones in February this year. 

Hart only joined the Addicks midway through the 23/24 season and played a huge part in the club’s unbeaten run after former Southampton boss Nathan Jones rejuvenated the side.

The Welshman and Hart had a previous working relationship, having worked alongside each other at previously at the club’s academy between 2012 and 2013. They also spent time as colleagues at Luton Town and Stoke City.

What’s Been Said?

Speaking to the club’s official media Hart stated 

“I have really enjoyed returning to Charlton, a club that is very close to my heart. It was great to get the opportunity to work with Nathan again and I was pleased with the progress we were able to make in the last few months of last season.

“Nathan has an excellent staff and structure around him and I have no doubt that there is an exciting future for the club under him. With that in mind I felt the time was right for me to step away from the day-to-day nature of the role and the travel that entails to allow me to spend more time with my family. I’ll be keeping a close eye on Charlton’s progress and wish the club nothing but success for the future.”

With Jones adding: 

“Paul has been a massive influence on my career since the time I met him in 2012. He’s someone I’ve kept by my side for a long, long time. He’s been through almost every situation in football, so as I was embarking on my managerial career it was vital I had someone that I could trust and someone who cared about my development. I’m sad to see him step down, he’s a big character and a big influence on individuals but I totally respect his decision to step down at this time and understand that the family, the travelling and the commitment it takes to be involved in a football club is a lot. I’m grateful that Paul was able to come back with us to Charlton, to get us to settle in and help us achieve our goal. Paul is not just a mentor now, he’s one of my closest, if not my closest friend – I’ll continue to lean on him.”

More than just a coach

Whilst to an outsider it may look as though it is just a coach departing, but it is clear that Hart was much more than just a member of staff to Nathan Jones and likely was seen as somewhat of a mentor. They have had over a decades worth of working relationship and with how much of a state Charlton was in after stagnating in League One for a number of years, a calm and reassuring figure by your side will likely have helped the new manager get across his ideas more quickly.

The pair have instilled a sense of belief once again which has been evident not just in the squad but the fanbase as a whole. The entire club, top to bottom have bought into what is being done which must bring relief to a club that have suffered.

2024-08-29T18:06:30Z dg43tfdfdgfd