Dowie has gone

Iain Dowie has officially quit Boundary Park to take up the manager’s job at Crystal Palace. As the club is in administration it was not possible to offer Dowie a contract. John Sheridan, Tony Philliskirk and John Harbin will look after the first team on a temporary basis.

Before the confirmation Chairman Barry Chaytow said, “We would obviously be upset to see him go, but due to the fact the club is in administration we couldn’t offer him a contract at this time. We prepared a contract offer, but this is an opportunity he feels he should take at this time in his career and we await the outcome of the meeting.”

Athletic will receive no compensation form Palace. We now have to wait to see if he takes any of his current backroom staff with him. Supporters feelings are split with some thinking he has stabbed them in the back and others wishing him well.