Reed to lead Charlton fight

Charlton Athletic FC have appointed Les Reed as head coach in succession to Iain Dowie, who had his contract terminated yesterday with the club bottom of the English Premiership.

FA experience
Reed, 53, was previously assistant to Dowie and is in his second spell at Charlton. In between, he worked for the Football Association until 2004 in a number of roles. He assisted former national coach Kevin Keegan and also spent two years as technical director, having originally joined the FA as a regional coach in 1987 after gaining experience at non-league Wealdstone FC. His No2 at Charlton will be Mark Robson.

'Charlton pedigree'
Charlton chairman Richard Murray said: "Over the past two weeks we have conducted a review of the structure we put in place during the summer which involved all senior football management staff. The results of this review have, we believe, left us with little option but to act in the manner we have. What we need at this time is as little disruption as possible and, accordingly, the club has promoted Les Reed to head coach and Mark Robson to assistant head coach. Both have a solid Charlton pedigree and I am confident they will do everything within their power, together with the players, to turn our season around."