Richie Wellens has spoken for the first time since leaving the job as manager at Boundary Park after he was sacked as Latics boss following the clubs relegation to League Two. Initially, after being appointed full time boss, the team strung an impressive run of results together but the wheels started to fall off at Christmas time. Wellens was disappointed with the way things turned out but is looking to his future.
He said, “It was the right time for us to part ways and for me to move on to the next step of my managerial career. I have learned a great deal from the experience and hope to find a role with a club that matches my ambition and believes in a long-term project; to develop players, a club identity and a playing philosophy. I know exactly what it takes to achieve success, and I believe that with the right ingredients I can deliver this as a manager. I will continue to be a student of the game, watching matches and players, building my experience and qualifications, in preparation for my next challenge. I retain the passion and desire I had as a player, and I am all the stronger for my season with Oldham.”
“The early success was a result of hard work from the players, who adapted to the system we devised and bought in to the attractive style of play and pressing game. We managed to build some momentum but unfortunately, we were lacking in squad depth and options at key times in the season, and there is no hiding place in that division with games coming thick and fast on Saturdays and Tuesdays, against competitive sides. I will make no excuses though. I am absolutely gutted that we didn’t manage to achieve our aim, despite taking matters to the final day and achieving a competitive return of 46 points from 37 games. It’s hard not to look back on last season with disappointment and regrets, but unfortunately we were always fighting against the odds to keep Oldham in League One.”