Talbot Goes

Last updated : 25 February 2005 By The Chairman

It’s Official - Oldham Athletic and Brian Talbot have mutually agreed to part company. As we hinted in yesterday's top story. The official website issued the following statement:

“After talks with the owners and Directors, the decision was taken today and Brian will leave with immediate effect. Tony Philliskirk will be in charge of the team for the game at Huddersfield on Saturday and until further notice. The Directors would like to place on record their thanks for all the hard work that Brian has put in over the last 12 months under difficult circumstances and wish him, and his family, all the best for the future.”

Latics Managing Director Simon Corney said, “We are sorry that things have not worked out for Brian and the club but we know that he has worked extremely hard to try and turn things around. It's a shame. We like Brian and he is a very good guy but he was also very honest with us. He mentioned that if we were going to survive, we were going to have to make changes and that you've got the change either me or the team. We didn't think that we could change the team in time, nor do we want to. So Brian parted company with us. Tony Philliskirk has agreed to take charge of team affairs and will have full control for Saturday's game.”

In his time at Boundary Park, Brian Talbot had improved the facilities including the treatment room and the training ground at Chapel Road. He saved them from getting relegated last season but he has openly admitted that this season has been a struggle. The team went on a 7 game unbeaten run, including knocking Manchester City out of the FA Cup, but them followed it up with a run of 7 straight defeats which eventually lost him his job. His record at the Latics was 55 games played, 20 games won, 21 games lost and 15 games drawn.

Simon Blitz said of the decision to part company, “It was very, very amicable. We had a long discussion with Brian and basically we both came to the conclusion together. I know you always read mutual consent, but it really was mutual consent and we only have good things to say about Brian. A year ago, when he came, it was looking like we were going to get relegated. So we thank him for last season and we wish him the best in the future.”