David Dunn has been sacked after only four months as Oldham Athletic manager paving the way for an emotional return to the club for former favourite John Sheridan.
Former Blackburn Rovers, Birmingham City and England midfielder Dunn was in charge for 20 games – 17 in the league and three in the FA Cup – but was unable to lift them out of the relegation places in Sky Bet League One.
And a return of only two wins in those 17 league games in which only 12 points were picked up ultimately cost him his job.
In a statement issued this afternoon, it read: “Oldham Athletic Football Club can confirm that David Dunn is no longer first-team manager.”
Chairman Simon Corney said: “I would like to place on record my thanks and gratitude to David for his tireless efforts over the past four months under what have been extremely difficult circumstances and wish him all the best for the future. He retained his dignity at all times and his hard work and dedication has been commendable.”
Assistant manager Dean Holden has also left the club. And Mr Corney said: “Dean has been a loyal and dedicated servant to the club and he leaves with our gratitude and best wishes.”
It also added the club can also confirm that first-team coach Keith Brown has also left his role.
Not long after an additional statement added: “Following the departures of David Dunn, Dean Holden and Keith Brown, the club can confirm we are in talks with a replacement first-team manager and hope to make a further announcement tomorrow afternoon at the latest.”
And the question of Dunn’s successor quickly turned to former Latics’ player and manager Sheridan after a photo emerged on social media of him in conversation with Mr Corney and club director Anthony Gee in a Costa coffee shop.
There was a further development tonight when Newport released a statement saying: “Oldham Athletic had made a formal approach to seek permission to speak to John Sheridan in relation to their vacant managerial position.
“The board are still meeting this evening to discuss the emerging and fast moving situation.”
Sheridan left Plymouth Argyle in the summer after two-and-a-half years as Plymouth Argyle manager citing he wanted a club nearer to his home in Leeds.
When Sheridan was unable to find a club, he joined South Wales side Newport County in October and has lifted them out of the relegation places in League Two.
It is known Mr Corney is a huge admirer of Sheridan who managed Latics between 2006/09 only for a successful stint to end in controversy not long after incidents involving players at a club function held at Belle Vue greyhounds.
Incredibly, Sheridan will be Latics’ fifth manager in less than 12 months. Lee Johnson left voluntarily to join Bradford City, Holden took over as caretaker to the end of the season and in this campaign Darren Kelly and Dunn have been in charge.