Former Celtic star Agathe steps down as Durham City's manager
Olivier Bernard has confirmed that former Celtic star Didier Agathe has stepped down as manager of Northern League Division Two club Durham City.
A ga the was a surprise choice as Citizens manager when his appointment was confirmed in April ahead of a summer of change at the club.
Tasked with taking charge of a new youth academy and first-team affairs, A ga the took a new look City squad boosted by the arrival of a whole host of players from abroad into the new Northern League season.
There were promising signs on the opening day of the Division Two season as Bermudan striker D’Andre Wainwright netted a hat-trick in a narrow 4-3 defeat against Willington.
However, last month’s 2-2 draw against Tow Law Town was the only point that Agathe’s side picked up in their opening eight games of the campaign.
That run was extended to nine on Wednesday night as Wainwright and Curacao Under-20 international Giorney Rojer found the net in a 3-2 defeat at promotion contenders West Allotment Celtic.
Agathe informed his squad that he was stepping down in the aftermath of the game – but former Newcastle United star Bernard confirmed that a “difficult situation” was behind the decision, rather than the results during the opening six weeks of the season.
He told The Echo: “I think it was good to have Didier at the club.
“His attitude has been very refreshing, he had big ideas for the start of his career as a manager, but unfortunately the situation at the club has changed and Didier has had to leave.
“Hopefully, in the future, we will be able to communicate the reasons behind this, but I can say that I am sad to see him go.
“I think he could have done well at the club, but I understand why he is disappointed.
“We are both disappointed because we had a good partnership and having Didier was a big thing for the club.
“We are good friends, and it’s important that we understand the difficult situation that has led to the decision.
“Players have been torn mentally because of this situation, Didier has been included in this too and it’s quite sad.”
Bernard was unable to elaborate on the situation that led to the decision– but revealed his belief that Agathe had shown enough quality to suggest that he can succeed as a manager elsewhere.
“Hope fully, Didier will find another club and do well because he has great ambition,” explained Bernard.
“He has the quality; he has his A Licence, and he has a presence that a good manager needs to have.
“He can do well in a job, the players were right behind him here, even though we were in a difficult situation.
“It’s important that the club bounce back, but Didier has done enough to show that he can be a good manager and I am sure that is what he will do.”
Bernard confirmed that he is looking to bring in a new manager ahead of Saturday’s home game against Ryt on and Crawcrook Albion.