Mick Wadsworth (pictured) has had his contract sensationally terminated after a difference of opinion with Chairman Chris Moore and Iain Dowie has been appointed first team manager with immediate effect. The news comes asa shock as it appeared that Wadsworth and Moore were the best of friends.
Mick joined the club in November after Chris Moore sacked Andy Ritchie and he almost got the Latics into the play-offs. His impressive record was P36 W15 L9 D12 and he was recently appointed as a director at Boundary Park. Dowie becomes the third manager since Chris Moore took over, a frightening thought.
Commenting for the club, Alan Hardy said, “News of Iain's appointment and Mick's departure has obviously travelled very quickly and in certain circumstances there has been some mixed messages. I would at this point like to put the record straight that Mick has not been sacked. His contract has been terminated, after a difference of opinion, by mutual consent. And because of the Club's and Mick's confidentiality agreement we can't comment at this stage on his departure. However, the collapse of ITV Digital, which means that Latics will lose out on almost £1million over two years, causes considerable financial implications. Many clubs have taken drastic action including slashing numbers of playing staff and making 'backroom' employees redundant For Latics we must look at ways at clawing back the lost revenue and it makes good business sense not to rely on the Chairman continually putting his hand in his pocket."
Chris Moore added, “I am delighted that Iain has accepted promotion to First Team Manager but disappointed that Mick and the Club have had to part company after such a short time and after so much good was achieved. The Club has to move on and I believe Iain will provide us with the best possible chance of gaining promotion at the earliest possible time. Iain has our full support and the continued financial security the Club still enjoys will give him the platform to launch next years campaign from.”
The whole affair leaves Athletic fans with a lot of unanswered questions. Just what was the difference of opinion and does this mean that the position of
“Technical Director” never really existed? The next few days should be interesting to say the least.