Charlton Athletic review of the week: Leicester City make boss change ahead of facing Addicks, Karen Hills' WSL 2 leaders win again, Micah Mbick produces classy finish and Thomas Sandgaard charged
Addicks may profit from Deji Elerewe's transfer to Lincoln City
There is loads of news in this round-up. So let’s just straight into it.
Picture: Rob Avis
CHARLTON FACE INTERIM MANAGER AS LEICESTER AXE CIFUENTES
Charlton Athletic’s match at Leicester City this weekend will once again see them come up against a newly-appointed boss after the Foxes sacked Marti Cifuentes on Sunday.
Andy King has been placed in interim charge of the 2016 Premier League champions.
Facing a new managerial appointment has been something of a regular occurrence for the south Londoners.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior took charge of his first match in the recent FA Cup third round tie at The Valley and Charlton also spoiled Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United return in September. Harvey Knibbs’ stoppage-time goal on the opening day also made it a losing start for Watford head coach Paulo Pezzolano.
The final straw for the Leicester hierarchy was Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to Oxford United.
City chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: “This has been a difficult decision and not one I have taken lightly.
“I would like to thank Martí for the total commitment he has shown during his time at Leicester City. He gave everything to the role and worked tirelessly to help us achieve our targets.
“However, I believe this is the right step at this time to improve performances and results, and to act in the best interests of Leicester City Football Club. Martí leaves with our thanks and our best wishes for the future.”
Picture: Keith Gillard
HILLS: THIS IS A SPECIAL GROUP OF PLAYERS
Karen Hills described her Charlton Athletic group as “special” after their 2-1 win over Newcastle United in WSL 2 at The Valley on Sunday.
The result means the Addicks are five points clear of their nearest rival at the top of the standings.
Jodie Hutton and a Katie Bradley penalty put the hosts in control before the interval. Newcastle’s Oona Sevenius cut the deficit before the hour mark.
Charlton are unbeaten in their 12 league matches this season, winning nine of them.
“They are a special group,” said Hills. “It was an outstanding performance from every single one of them.
“I told the players to be brave - to play with courage - and they did that in the first half. We took the game to them. Our intensity was superb.
“We were very disciplined today. We haven’t got any individual superstars, the whole team is on a level. We have worked so hard on the togetherness and to fight for each other - that is our identity.
“It’s too early to think about that (promotion). I’ve been in this game a long time and the focus is, and always will be, on the next game.”
MBICK THAT ONE OUT
Micah Mbick has been in the news this week after Brighton saw a couple of offers rejected.
And the Charlton Athletic striker needs just one more goal to reach double figures after producing an excellent finish for Colchester United in Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Fleetwood Town.
Mbick, who is on loan with the League Two club, has scored nine times in 24 matches.
See the YouTube clip below (25 seconds in) for his goal, his seventh in the league.
Mbick went off with an injury in the 63rd minute.
Colchester United boss Danny Cowley told local radio: “Micah….that didn’t look good, so we’ll just have to see on that.”
SANDGAARD FACING FRAUD CHARGES
The United States Attorney’s Office have revealed they have charged Charlton Athletic owner Thomas Sandgaard with fraud.
The allegations relate to when the 67-year-old was chief executive of Zynex. Anna Lucsok, who had been the company’s chief executive, is also facing charges.
Danish-born Sandgaard is a US citizen who lives in Colorado.
“A federal criminal indictment is merely an accusation,” said a statement on the United States Attorney’s Office website. “A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“The United States has sought to restrain assets of Sandgaard or related entities, including a Porsche, a BMW, a Mercedes-Benz, real properties in Colorado and Florida, multiple bank accounts, and a Gulfstream G-IV aircraft. The government has also sought to restrain the assets of Lucsok including real property, a Porsche, a Volkswagen SUV, and various bank accounts.”
Sandgaard bought Charlton Athletic Football Club in September 2020. Roland Duchatelet still retains the freehold of The Valley and Sparrows Lane training ground.
Sandgaard sold Charlton to SE7 Partners in July 2023.
The full United States Attorney’s Office statement can be found here, including some wild claims about Sandgaard sending “used underwear” to financial reporters investigating Zynex.
Deji Elerewe/Picture: Keith Gillard
FORMER PLAYER UPDATES - ELEREWE JOINS LINCOLN, ANEKE RELEASED AND JAIYESIMI JOINS BEES
Former Charlton Athletic defender Deji Elerewe has signed for Lincoln City.
The Addicks look set to earn some money from the centre-back’s transfer from Bromley.
Charlton had first refusal to re-sign Elerewe as well as a sell-on in the deal they agreed with the Ravens in February 2024.
The terms of his move to Lincoln are undisclosed. He has penned terms until at least 2029.
Imps sporting director Jez George said: “Deji has outstanding physical attributes, an outstanding mentality and demonstrates all the behaviours that we value.
“He is super aggressive in his defending, aerially dominant and defends his box with real desire. We are really excited that we’ve convinced him that we are the right club for the next steps in his career as Deji has huge potential and a really high ceiling.”
Chuks Aneke’s stay at Shrewsbury Town lasted just four months.
Chuks Aneke/Picture: Kyle Andrews
The Shrews announced that the forward, who was released by Charlton Athletic at the end of last season, had “made the decision to step away from his playing role with the club by mutual consent”.
Leyton Orient winger Diallang Jaiyesimi, 27, has joined League Two club Barnet on loan until the end of the season.
He started in their 3-2 win over Oldham Athletic on Saturday.
Mansfield Town defender Deji Oshilaja, 32, has signed a two-year contract extension.
Stags boss Nigel Clough said: “He has become a bit of a stalwart for us and it's good to get him tied down.”
Charlie Methven (right) at a Charlton game in December 2024/Picture: Keith Gillard
METHVEN BECOMES STRATEGIC ADVISOR AT NON-LEAGUE CLUB
Charlie Methven has been named non-executive director and strategic adviser for Southern League Premier South leaders Walton & Hersham.
Methven stepped down as Charlton chief executive officer in March 2025.
Walton & Hersham co-owner Christopher Corey said: “Charlie has been informally advising us for quite some time, so this appointment really just firms up the relationship. Charlie’s experience in building and improving football clubs is second to none.
“As we stand at this exciting and critical stage in the club’s future, his help in coming months will be hugely valued in planning the next stages in Walton & Hersham’s development.”
YET MORE MISERY AT THE DEN
I’m going to move swiftly on from Saturday’s match.
I’ve also decided not to start the round-up with the latest first-team result.
If you do want to read more on the latest derby meeting then there are three pieces. You can listen to the post-match pod here, Nathan Jones’ thoughts can be found by clicking here. Want another piece to peruse? I’ve also done a colour piece on a deflating, depressing and downright miserable Saturday afternoon.
Picture: Keith Gillard
Picture: Keith Gillard
MITCH IS BACK
Charlton confirmed on Monday that Zach Mitchell has been recalled from his loan at Hibernian.
The 21-year-old was set to spend the season with the Scottish club but has been largely starved of first-team openings.
Centre-back Mitchell only featured twice for Hibs in the first half of the campaign.
Hibs head coach David Gray, that man responsible for not selecting the Addicks academy product, said: “Zach is a young player who wants to play games, which we completely understand, so it makes sense for him to return to Charlton Athletic as it’s not something we can guarantee.
“He was a model professional during his time here, fantastic to work with, always keen to learn, and I wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
Nathan Jones talked about Mitchell’s return here.
FEEL THE BURN
Charlton Athletic will head to Burnley in the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup.
The Clarets sealed their place at this stage of the competition, and emphatically so, with a 5-1 thrashing of Norwich City on Monday night. Burnley defeated Wolverhampton 2-0 at home in the third round.
Kian McMahon-Brown scored four of their goals in the victory over the Canaries.
Charlton, bossed by Jason Pearce, have knocked out Liverpool and Watford.
HEADPHONES NORM FUNERAL DETAILS
Charlton Athletic fans are welcome to attend The Valley on Wednesday, January 28 for the funeral service of Norman Barker.
Widely and affectionately known as Headphones Norm, he passed away in the opening stages of the December home fixture against Portsmouth, which was abandoned.
Club chaplain Matt Baker will lead the service which starts at 11am and supporters have been asked to register if they will be attending. That can be done by clicking here.
Barker’s family have requested that anyone attending wear the colours of the club they support. They have also asked for donations to Charlton Athletic Community Trust, rather than any flowers.
The service starts at 11am.
Any news on incomings or if Jones is on his way out ?