Hectic Charlton Athletic situation summed up everything wrong with the club at that time: View

The early years of Roland Duchatelet’s tenure at Charlton Athletic were marked by a series of unsuccessful managerial appointments. Despite a promising start to the 2023-24 season, the team faced a setback with the sacking of Dean Holden in August, following a string of early losses. The subsequent appointment of Michael Appleton as the replacement proved to be a positive turn of events, with Appleton securing noteworthy results, including a recent 1-1 draw against Barnsley.

Currently positioned 10th in the League One table, Charlton looks to continue their improved performance under Appleton as they host Burton Albion. With the recent change in ownership to SE7 Partners, Charlton fans are optimistic about a brighter future after a tumultuous decade that included ill-fated stints under East Street Investments and Thomas Sandgaard.

The Roland Duchatelet era, spanning from 2014 to his departure in January 2020, remains a haunting period for Charlton supporters. Duchatelet’s chaotic reign is symbolized by frequent managerial changes, with nine permanent managers employed in six years. The Belgian businessman’s impact was felt early on when, in 2014, he brought in players from his other clubs and influenced tactical decisions, leading to the controversial dismissal of popular manager Chris Powell.

Subsequent managers, including Jose Riga, Bob Peeters, Guy Luzon, Karel Fraeye, and Lee Bowyer, faced challenges and mixed success. Despite the efforts of Karl Robinson and Lee Bowyer, who led the club to promotion in 2019, Charlton experienced relegation to League One in 2016 amid protests against Duchatelet’s ownership. After six years, Duchatelet sold the club to East Street Investments in January 2020, ending a tenure that Charlton fans are unlikely to remember fondly.