Ex-Toon man Bowyer is new Addicks boss
FORMER Newcastle United midfielder Lee Bowyer has been appointed caretaker manager of Charlton Athletic.
Bowyer - who infamously fought with his own team-mate Kieron Dyer on the pitch during his days on Tyneside - will now be in charge of the Addicks for their clash with Plymouth Argyle this weekend.
Bowyer is given his chance in management after the departure of Karl Robinson.
Bowyer said: “I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to take this team forward.
“We have a talented squad of players and our focus has to be on winning games and giving ourselves the best opportunity to make the play-offs.”
A Charlton statement read: “Bowyer is a former Charlton academy graduate and returned to The Valley at the beginning of 2017 as a member of Karl Robinson’s coaching staff.
“He was appointed assistant manager in the summer of 2017.”
Bowyer was due to face the media this afternoon and his appointment is likely to capture the imagination of the national media after a career at the top with Leeds United and Newcastle.
Bowyer has often spoken about his fond memories of playing under Sir Bobby Robson and once told the Chronicle: “It was great playing under Bobby.
“His knowledge and enthusiasm was unbelievable.
“Tactically he had been in the game so long he was one of the best.
“He was funny with it. He had a good sense of humour.”
Bowyer recalled how shocked he was left by Robson’s approach to day-to-day life at Newcastle.
With a laugh, he added: “In my first pre-season we were out in Thailand and he was doing the pre-season with us.
“He was running up and down with us!
“He was 70 years old and I was thinking ‘Blimey!’
“It was like ‘take it easy boss!’ - but he was a fantastic man.”