‘The stuff that’s been going on… it’s just crazy, it’s not normal’: Charlton boss Lee Bowyer slams boardroom turmoil at The Valley after his side were relegated to League One as a result of ‘cutting corners’
- Charlton were relegated from the Championship after losing to Leeds last night
- The Addicks have lost their second-tier status with Barnsley and Luton winning
- Manager Lee Bowyer was critical of the squabbles in the boardroom all season
- Charlton are under a transfer embargo with their new owner yet to be approved
Charlton manager Lee Bowyer has criticised the ownership turmoil at the club, insisting their relegation to League One on Wednesday was a consequence of ‘cutting corners.’
After being promoted to the Championship last season via the play-offs, the Addicks have gone straight back down after losing 4-0 to champions Leeds last night, with other results not going in their favour.
Barnsley’s last-minute winner at Brentford, as well as Luton’s 3-2 win against Blackburn, confined Charlton to relegation in a season which has been overshadowed by boardroom politics and ownership worries.
Charlton manager Lee Bowyer was critical of the ownership struggles at the Valley this year
Charlton were relegated from the Championship on Wednesday after losing to Leeds United
‘There’s a hell of a lot of things that I’ve not been happy with,’ Bowyer said after the defeat at Elland Road, as reported by the South London Press.
‘More things of late, recently, have happened that’s even made me even more so not happy with things that are happening here.
‘If you cut corners, then this is what happens. There’s only so many things you can do. You can cut corners for so long but this what happens when you cut corners.
‘I don’t know what happening behind the scenes. You know a lot of the stuff that’s been going on, it’s just crazy, it’s not normal.’
Bowyer insisted the club’s relegation to League One was a result of ‘cutting corners’
There was a falling out between previous owner Tahnoon Nimer (C) and Matt Southall (right)
Charlton are currently under a transfer embargo, with their new owner Paul Elliott yet to be approved by the EFL.
The whole 2019-20 season though has been overshadowed at Charlton by squabbles in the boardroom between previous chairman Matt Southall and previous owner Tahnoon Nimer, when ESI took over the club in January.
Bowyer himself admits he has stayed ‘loyal’ to the club through thick and thin, but refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with other jobs, which include Birmingham City who also stayed up on the final day.
‘I don’t think it’s the time to talk about whether other clubs will be interested in myself,’ Bowyer added.
‘I don’t think it’s the right time to talk about things like that. I’ve been loyal, I know that. I’ve definitely been loyal. I could have left on more than one occasion. I’m glad I stayed. We’ll have to see what happens in the summer.’
Charlton forward Chuks Aneke looks crestfallen after the damaging defeat on Wednesday
Recent reports suggested Bowyer, who has been in charge at The Valley since 2018, would be let go for a £750,000 compensation fee.
Should he stay though, Bowyer will have to plan for life back in League One after a disappointing conclusion to the season.
Hull City and Wigan Athletic, as it stands with an appeal pending for their 12-point deduction for entering administration, were also relegated from the Championship on Wednesday night.