Karl Robinson: Charlton Athletic takeover completely up in the air – it could be next season
Karl Robinson has dealt another blow to Charlton supporters after revealing that he’s been told the takeover of the club could be further delayed.
Unpopular Belgian owner Roland Duchatelet put on record that he was trying to offload the South Londoners when it was announced that CEO Katrien Meire was leaving the club at the end of December.
But it would appear that despite agreeing a sale price with two possible suitors, Duchatelet’s departure could still be a long way off.
“I’ve been told today it’s completely up in the air,” explained the Charlton boss.
“It could be next season. It could be the summer. It could be two weeks. It could be a month. Whoever is buying the club – come on. For the benefit of these people who support he club, the players, this is something that neds to be sorted out.
“Two weeks, two weeks, two weeks. I’ve heard today it could be a lot longer than what it is. We’ve just got to get on with it. I don’t know what that is, where they’re at. I was told this week, and then that week, and then that week.
“There’s still no real date. I wish my holiday was the same length as the ‘two weeks’ they’ve took.
“Our CEO was gone at the end of December. Our financial director has gone now. We were told the club would be done in two weeks. That was seven or eight weeks ago in the beginning of January. We thought we’d have somebody in in mid-January to try and push us forward and give us some funds. I’m stood here in mid-March and being told it’s nowhere near.
“In the owner’s defence, he’s trying to sell the club. But it’s no good in relation to us not knowing what corner to turn next. I feel for the people that come and watch us. When you’ve got family and kids and not knowing what’s happening in the summer – it can put you in a predicament.”
Robinson was speaking after his side’s lacklustre 1-0 defeat at Blackpool on Tuesday night, and said that the mentality surrounding the club desperately needs to change.
“There’s a number of things that go on behind the scenes here that need to change before we can lift spirits properly,” he added.
“There’s been too many things hanging over the club for too long a time. So when something very small goes against you it sparks a negative mentality. You’ve got players in there whose contracts are up in the summer not knowing what’s going on, who’s going to be in charge. These are answers that I can’t give to players or their agents with six weeks to go in the season.
“This is a reality check. If I’ve got to get in trouble for saying it I don’t really care. It’s the truth.
“I’d love to build something properly but how can you build something when you don’t know what corner you’re turning. We’ve created quite a good mentality around the place but we need something to take us onto the next level now. Everybody is just waiting. How long can you keep waiting? People’s careers are going down the pan. It’s as simple as that.”
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Even when you say the loss is your fault last you still make the same excuses the takeover may be up in the air but so is the whole management team
This is so very typical of the problems that have been facing CAFC for many years – a lack of both financial and leadership backing by the last couple of owners. I admire Karl Robinson for staying with the Club thus far and trying to motivate players and keep the Club ticking over. With the basic quality Charlton have in players, the addition of a couple more – particularly a good striker – in the January transfer window, would have given the Club the impetus to push for promotion. It is now clear that recent results are proving that the Club cannot complete the early promise of promotion, either directly or through the play-offs. Far too many points have been lost owing to the absence of a good goal scoring striker and far too many goals have been conceded in time added on. The points lost in games Charlton have dominated through these two factors is alarming. Yes, there have been a crop of injuries throughout the season that do not help the course, but that is not really the problem now. One win in the last seven games is more like relegation form, not promotion. I’m afraid that the ‘Charlton’ mess is going to continue for a while yet, further undermining any stability the Club may have had. It is clear that the moral of the players is quite low. The whole mess is a real shame for us long suffering supporters !!!
Typical Charlton, think its disgraceful this is happening. Perhaps he wants to leave us as low as poss, before he disappears, revenge is sweet.