Les Reed left his post as Charlton manager by mutual agreement, giving him a place in the premiership history books as the manager with the shortest tenure so far, just 41 days and eight games.

Reed has been immediately replaced by Alan Pardew, who was a recent casualty of the Icelandic take over at West Ham United, Pardew has a mountain to climb if he is to save the club from relegtion. He is rumoured to have a bonus of a million pounds if he can save the club from the clutches of the Championship.

Pardew had expected a quiet Christmas in front of the television, but after receiving a call from the chairman. Pardew admits it was an easy decision to make as the valley is a home from home with friendly faces from his days there as a player.

He has the January transfer window to equip himself with the personnel needed to fight for survival. He also believes that former Addicks manager Alan Curbishley has what is needed to guide his old club to safety. Which must mean that two of Wigan, Blackburn, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United will join bottom club in the drop to the Championship.