New manager Iain Dowie already knows who he wants as his Athletic right-hand man and will hold talks with the coaching target as soon as he returns from a holiday in Dubai. He won't name the number-one choice but feels that, despite his own status as a rookie, there is no need to bring in an old head. Dowie said, “There will be a bit of tinkering on the coaching side, and I know who I'd like to work with. I don't think it has to be someone with a lot of experience because the existing staff – myself, David Cross and Tony Philliskirk – all had long playing careers. I played 59 internationals for Northern Ireland, I'm a voracious reader on coaching and I try to soak up knowledge from everyone I come across. When I get back to Oldham, I'll speak to Chris Moore and Alan Hardy to confirm what I have in mind. We'll see how it goes from there, but I have to stress I'm confident that people like David and Tony can do a great job. At the same time, I'm quite strong-willed so I wouldn't be frightened to make changes if I felt they were needed.”
John Sheridan has done some coaching for Athletic but he also wants to play for as long as possible so it is expected that Dowie will look outside Boundary Park for assistance.