Oldham Athletic have announced Darren Kelly as their new first team manager and Dean Holden will become his assistant. The new manager will officially take up his role on 1st June. Simon Corney, said of the appointment, “We are delighted to have in place a young, fresh and dynamic management team reflecting our ambitions on and off the field. From the moment we first met with him, Darren impressed the Board with his infectious enthusiasm, undoubted drive and energy and a confidence in his ability to deliver success for our football club. Coupled with his extensive coaching experience, knowledge of what is required to be successful in Football League One and a commitment to developing players at all levels we believe he is the right person to oversee the re-building of the football side of our club.”
“I am also thrilled that Dean has accepted the role of assistant manager. He thoroughly deserves a promotion to his new position and I would like to place on record my gratitude to him for the way he has handled the manager role over the last two months. He has worked tirelessly in very difficult circumstances and proved, what we originally believed when he joined us, that he will be a real asset to the management team at Oldham Athletic. I am incredibly excited by the new team we have in place. Darren is a natural leader and the plans he has in place for our club fill me with confidence for our future success.”
Kelly said, “I am delighted that the Board of Oldham Athletic Football Club have seen fit to appoint me as the club's new manager. It is a role that I accept with immense pride and one which I am fully focussed on and committed to. As well as a wealth of playing and coaching experience, I pledge to Oldham Athletic and its supporters unwavering commitment and a desire to succeed. I am looking forward to building on the achievements of Oldham Athletic and driving the club to new levels of success. I ask the Oldham fans to believe in me and get behind the club whole heartedly as we embark on an exciting new era.”