José Riga, the Charlton Athletic manager, expects to leave the club when the Sky Bet Championship season draws to a close on Saturday. It will be the sixth time the club has sacked its manager since its controversial owner, Roland Duchâtelet, took charge at the Valley in January 2014.
Riga - who had two months at the club between March and May 2014 - only returned for his second spell in south London in January, but has proved unable to help stave off the threat of relegation. Charlton’s fate was sealed with a goalless draw at Bolton on April 19.
The club’s chief executive, Katrien Meire, confirmed afterwards that it was “not the time for excuses” and it is believed Riga has been informed his time will be up at the end of the campaign. He is thought to have prepared his squad for the inevitable with a short address before training yesterday.
Further managerial uncertainty will doubtless fuel the anger of supporters who have long called for Duchâtelet - the former owner of Standard Liege - and Meire to depart the Valley.
A number of protests have been staged this season, with relations between boardroom and supporters seemingly beyond repair after a series of indelicate statements from the club apparently blaming fans for Charlton’s travails.