Charlton Athletic manager search could be impacted by major Championship news

The search for the next Charlton Athletic manager could be impacted by breaking news from the Championship that Huddersfield Town have sacked boss Darren Moore.

The Terriers sit just three points above the relegation zone after drawing at fellow strugglers QPR on Sunday afternoon. It looked as if Moore was set to pick up only his second victory since the start of December but the Rs' Kenneth Paal fired in a late injury time leveller.

Confirming the news on Monday, Huddersfield owner and chairman Kevin Nagle said: "We have to make this decision to give us the best chance of maintaining our Sky Bet Championship status come the end of the season. Darren is a fantastic man, and he has worked tirelessly since taking the job back in September. I know I speak for everyone at the club in wishing him the very best for the future.

"We appointed Darren on the strength of his credentials as a manager, but it is now clear that this has not worked as we envisaged and hoped. There have absolutely been mitigating circumstances, such as the high number of injuries that Darren has had to cope with, but we have still not seen enough on the pitch in terms of results or the direction of travel in playing style and performances.

"I believe that our current squad is capable of more, particularly on the back of the work we have carried out in this transfer window, and we’re quickly moving to identify the right person to lead them through a crucial period of the season. We hope to make that managerial appointment soon."

Moore's sacking comes less than a week after Charlton Athletic parted ways with Michael Appleton following a 12-game winless run in all competitions. The club's Board of Directors has since confirmed that the search for a replacement is 'underway'.

The statement read: "Our search for the club’s next Men’s First-Team Head Coach is underway. Given our current position and the ambition of everyone at the club, it is vital we get the right appointment to lead Charlton forward. In the meantime, Curtis Fleming will take interim charge, supported by Jason Pearce and Stephen Henderson. Curtis is a very experienced coach while Jason and Stephen have a real understanding of the club given their history as players at Charlton.

"While appointing a new Head Coach is a key priority, we are also well aware that there is just over a week left in the January transfer window. We have already signed seven players this month and we are still looking to further strengthen the squad before the window closes next week. The transfer activity will be overseen, as it has been throughout January, by the club’s Technical Director Andy Scott."

Former Southampton manager Nathan Jones had emerged as an early frontrunner for the Charlton Athletic job and, at the time of writing, is 1/1 to be appointed Addicks boss. South London Press journalist Richard Cawley had confirmed on Monday morning that Jones was set for 'further talks' with Charlton Athletic this week as discussion towards his appointment progressed.

However, Jones now also appears on the list of potential replacements for Moore at the John Smith's Stadium, although it is ex-Birmingham City manager John Eustace who is the frontrunner. Eustace is currently 5/1 with Jones 6/1.

Former QPR boss Mark Warburton, ex-Millwall man Gary Rowett and recent Swansea City manager Michael Duff have also emerged as candidates for the Championship club - all names which have also been mentioned with the vacant Charlton role.