Impresssive quote, Vol. Where is it from?Andy Hughes has told Charlton: Pull out all the stops to keep Jose Riga.
There is uncertainty over who will be in charge of the South Londoners next season as the head coach only arrived on a short-term deal.
And even though Riga did his job - keeping the Addicks in the Championship - he has still not been confirmed as taking the helm in the future.
Hughes has warned that Charlton run the risk of losing key players - and also failing to attract them - if they do not move quickly in filling the role.
He said: “Charlton have still not named a manager and they need to get that nailed down - they are going to miss out on players and existing players. For me Jose Riga is the number one choice. The players like him, the staff like him and he likes the club and area - and he has got a feel for Championship football now, he knows what it takes.The players and staff want him to stay. They need to do what it takes to keep him here. It is vitally important that Roland Duchatelet employs someone this week. They are going to miss recruitment. Other clubs are moving on players. They are missing out. I don't understand the time taken, why is it so long?
They need to appoint Jose Riga as quick as they can. I don't understand why they are even contemplating bringing another coach in. Jose Riga came in when the club was in a tough position and he managed the situation well."
I have been very lukewarm about signing JR. For me, the only thing in its favour was the likelihood of RD getting someone worse.
However, if Andy Hughes really said that, and it really represents his thinking, that would win me over.
Not because I think Andy Hughes is some kind of infallible oracle, but because I would have thought he would have been the last sort of person to have favoured Riga, If Riga is good enough for him, I am convinced.
My only reservation is that he could be arsekissing Riga in the expectation of a job. Maybe to replace Euell in charge of the u21s? Any other more minor coaching post available he could probably match elsewhere oop north. My suspicions of Hughes joining the staff soon was aroused by the over-the-top testimonial posted on the OS when he left.
