'Transfers, owners and sunbathing' - 5 key points from Nathan Jones first Charlton interview

Nathan Jones has given his first interview as Charlton Athletic manager as he spoke in detail about his appointment and plans for the side to the club's media on Tuesday evening.

More than 6,000 people have watched the 16-minute chat on the club's official YouTube channel, with many more tuning in across social media. Addicks supporters have high hopes that Jones can emulate his success at Luton Town and help lift the League One strugglers up the table after a poor run of form.

LondonWorld picks out five key talking points from the interview ahead of this weekend's crucial meeting with Reading.

Jones had 'conversations' with Charlton in September

Jones admitted that he had 'conversations' with Charlton in September last year when the club was looking to replace Dean Holden after his very stint at The Valley.

Holden's side lost four of their first five league fixtures and he was eventually replaced by Michael Appleton on September 8. Jones wasn't really touted as an option by bookies at the time with Lee Johnson, Karl Robinson and Steve Cotterill linked with the job.

However, the former Southampton man was talked to by the board. Jones said: "I had tentative conversations back in September, it just wasn't the right time. I needed to take a spell out after my time at Southampton. I took time to spend with family and do stuff I hadn't done before.

"I was ready to go back in about six to eight weeks ago and started to listen to offers. I had a number of opportunities to go back into Championship clubs, abroad, other League One clubs."

'Paddleboarding and sunbathing' - how Jones spent 12 months away

It's been almost a year exactly since Jones was sacked by Southampton after just three months in charge. The Welshman had taken the big decision to leave his role at Luton Town to take up the position in the Premier League.

That appointment didn't work out and Jones spoke of needing time away from the sport after the level of scrutiny on the South Coast. Explaining how he kept busy, Jones said: "I live in a wonderful part of the country so I was able to do a lot of stuff - paddle boarding and sunbathing and walks and runs on the beach.

"I got to be a proper dad for a while. That's been priceless. I enjoyed my time off but what I believe I'm good at is being a manager of a football club. I was itching to get back in at the end."

Why Jones is Charlton manager, not head coach

Charlton supporters were quick to spot that Nathan Jones had been appointed manager, rather than head coach at the club, and were intrigued to know the difference between the roles.

That question was put to the boss, who is clearly going to call the shots during future transfer windows and have the freedom to implement changes at Charlton. Jones said: "It's not just my doing. I met Andy [Scott, technical director], Jim [Rodwell, chairman] and the owners and Charlton told me what they want to do and how they want the club to evolve.

"That's the job of a manager and that's what appealed to me. If certain things on recruitment and environment need driving, that's the role of a manager. I've got slightly more responsibilities than a quintessential head coach."

Jones evaluates current Charlton squad

Jones also gave his opinion on the current squad available to him at Charlton and had praise for the 'honesty' and 'athleticism' of the players at the club.

When speaking, the manager had spent two days with the squad at the training ground ahead of this weekend's six-pointer with Reading. He said: "It's a really good, honest squad. It's athletic and has talent. What they're not doing at the minute is keeping clean sheets and outscoring the opposition, it's a simple thing. They've been in every game.

"The players have been magnificent. They work hard and that's all you can ask as a manager. I've had my success with a group of players that just buy into everything you do and that's what I'm hoping here."

Charlton's transfer strategy under Jones

After hinting at having a greater say over the club's recruitment during his tenure, Jones wasn't afraid to admit that he would oversee incomings and outgoings when the window opens once again.

The Addicks had a busy January of activity, even with the managerial change, and could be set for more investment. The manager said: "There's real good talent here. We will add and there will be changes over the coming windows. That's just an evolution process. We have to win games with the players we've got then we'll evaluate those we take forward and those we don't feel we can. What I have been told by the owners and the board is they want to build something here, they are here for the long haul. That's great to know."