Would Lee Bowyer be open to contract negotiations? Charlton Athletic boss answers that question
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
Lee Bowyer has indicated he would be happy to hold talks with Charlton Athletic over a new contract.
The Addicks boss has attracted strong interest from Huddersfield Town but has made it clear he is staying in SE7.
But Bowyer is only contracted until next summer.
Charlton have made the best start of a promoted team in the Championship since Brighton (16) and Southampton (15) in the 2010-11 campaign. They are second in the early standings on 14 points.
Asked by the South London Press if he would be willing to sit down and discuss an extension, Bowyer said: “It depends. It has to suit everybody.
“At the present time the reason why they offered me a one-year contract is because it suits them.
“If they wanted to offer me longer it would have to suit everybody. I think people were aware in the summer I wanted a two-year contract – just so I had more security and also a base to build from. Then you know you are going to be here two years, at least, and try to build something.
“That isn’t the case. At the moment I go up until June again.
“Everybody has to be happy with the contract they sign – whether that is a player, coach or manager.”
Head of recruitment Steve Gallen has been appointed as a Charlton Athletic director.
“It can only be good for the club because he can give an input on the footballing side at meetings,” said Bowyer. “We have a close relationship. We trust each other. We tell each other everything.
“We’re in constant dialogue every day about how we can improve the place.
“Since I’ve taken over he has been like a rock, especially on transfers. We both know what we want and where we are going. He is always there for advice.”
Gallen says he will only supply football input at board level. In the summer he made sure an acceptable bonus scheme was in place for Charlton’s players.
“One of my jobs was to go to Millwall and QPR to ask what they do,” he said.
“They were happy to help, they know I’m not going to put the information out in public.
“It helped me to show Roland [Duchatelet] and Lieven [De Turck] what our competitors are paying. Okay, we might be under them – but let’s go just under them.
“Just since the start of this week I have had all sorts of people saying: ‘We need this or that’. But that side of it is still Lieven.”
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It’s vital Roland does not leave it till June to extend Bowyers contract , extend his contract as soon as possible .
Lee deserves an extension to his contract for the great job he is doing on a shoestring budget.
Playing a team that believe that they can win every game, give everything and never give up.
Lee Bowyer absolutely deserves the added extension to his contract, any other negative options would send the wrong message not only to Lee but to all the loyal fans of the club that Roland isn’t serious about supporting the club in the drive towards establishing CAFC in the Championship. Indeed, this would also be a positive move in the current situation of trying to sell the club!!!