Charlton have appointed Ben Garner as their new manager.
Garner joins from Swindon Town and has signed a three-year contract at the Valley to replace Johnnie Jackson after he was sacked by owner Thomas Sandgaard.
His appointment comes three days after Charlton released a statement to deny reports that they had agreed a deal for Garner to take over, and claiming reports were “providing inaccurate information to fans”.
Garner, who guided Swindon to the League Two play-offs this season and is a highly-respected coach who started out at Crystal Palace, said: “It feels fantastic to be here.
“I’m really pleased and can’t wait to get going. Charlton is a massive football club. Both in terms of history and tradition and just as importantly in terms of potential and scope looking forwards.”
Sandgaard sacked Jackson after Charlton finished 13th in League One and told Standard Sport the team’s style of play was a factor in his decision.
The Charlton owner said he was convinced a more high-pressing style would give the club a better chance of promotion from League One and Garner have vowed to play attacking football.
Garner, 42, said: “Attacking football is what I believe in, that is how I think football should be played and I will be looking to implement that from day one, both home and away. There is no differentiation in terms of how we prepare, how we will play, we will be consistent and we want to attack.
“We want to have the ball as much as possible, creating chances, scoring goals and being on the front foot, playing with lots of energy without the ball. I want the team to be positive and confident, I want the fans to enjoy coming to watch us play."
Garner will meet the Charlton squad for the first time when they return for pre-season next Thursday. Charlton say “in the meantime he will work with the club’s recruitment team to make additions to the first team”.
Sandgaard said: “We are obviously striving for a much better season. We will have the best chance of success by creating more chances and scoring more goals than we did last season. Ben’s track record for playing attacking football matches that.
“We were also impressed with his history of improving and developing players, his man-management and his wide range of coaching experience in the top four tiers of English football. He’s a talented, young manager, who is highly respected in the football world.
“Our intention is to get all our teams, through all the age groups, playing with an attacking style. I’m really looking forward to watching Ben implement that style with the men’s first team next season and integrating our young talent."
