Charlton Athletic handed Nathan Jones boost ahead of Leyton Orient play-off final

Charlton Athletic have been handed a boost ahead of their League One play-off final with Leyton Orient on Sunday at Wembley Stadium. The Addicks are 90 minutes away from the Championship. and fans will already be feeling the nerves as they prepare to take on a London rival on the biggest stage.

Ahead of the game, there has been some background noise involving Charlton boss Jones and what his future might hold. The Welshman has been linked with taking over at his home country club Cardiff City in the past, which is no surprise given he supported the club as a boy.

He admitted previously: “I make no secret about the Cardiff job, because it is my hometown club and all the affiliations I have there. One day I really, really would love to manage the football club. Right now I’m Charlton manager and I’m thoroughly enjoying the project we are building.”

Since then, Cardiff have found themselves searching for a new manager after sacking Omer Riza then suffering relegation to League One. Aaron Ramsey took over temporarily but couldn’t save the Bluebirds in the very limited time he had, and the Welsh club have vowed to appoint a new boss by the end of the month as they prpeare for life inthe first tier for the first time since 2003.

In some of the early markets, Jones was listed as a relative outsider, but with Charlton progressing to the final, his price has now dropped in all markets, with a move deemed unlikely. Naturally, much will likely depend on how successful Charlton are in securing promotion.

If they go up, Jones will almost certainly stay where he is, but if they don’t, the Addicks board will have to convince him that he is better off managing in League One with the London club over his boyhood club, and that might prove tricky - if indeed Cardiff are interested in his services.

Jones on play-off success

Jones collapsed to his knees after Charlton defeated Wycombe Wanderers in their League One semi-final. Opening up on the reaction, Jones told London News: “The fourth official told me it was done. It wasn’t quite like the final whistle…but it was like that thing. I’m a very religious man. I trust in the Lord. The Lord has seen me through difficult times. Really, really difficult times.

“There were times I was at a Premier League club where people didn’t think I deserved to be there – regardless of how much I had earned the right and gone through three divisions. Coached at three different levels. It didn’t make a difference. So all those things you remember, because they are all on your CV and your body of work. It was a bit of emotion to come out. Just more the the pride and relief to do that (to reach the final). But I also wanted to thank my God publicly, because he has been very good to me.”

On the play-off final, the Welshman added: “To play at Wembley and a chance to get promoted to a higher league, it shows we have been a good side. Because anyone who finishes in the top six is a good side, regardless (of which position). They have to be consistent. It is not luck. You can’t be lucky for 46 games. You have highs and lows, you have to score goals – you have to keep clean sheets. Adjust to injuries – all the things that can happen.

“We know both teams are in a good place. They’ve had to show real quality to beat Stockport, who are a very good side, over two legs. We will relish the opportunity to do something special.”

Your next Charlton Athletic read, Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones lands Southampton dig