Tykes axe Ritchie
21 Nov 2006 - 14:54:33
Barnsley have parted company with manager Andy Ritchie and placed academy boss Simon Davey in caretaker charge until a permanent appointment is made.
Ritchie guided the Tykes to promotion from League One via the play-offs last term, but the club has struggled at the higher level this season.
A statement from the club read: "It is with regret that the board of Barnsley Football Club has announced its decision to terminate the contract of manager Andy Ritchie with immediate effect.
"The decision by the board follows the failure to resolve differences with the manager concerning the need the strengthen the first-team squad to ensure survival in the Championship.
"In the close season, following the club's promotion, the board were of the opinion that the first-team squad required strengthening in terms of additional proven quality players and proper cover for key positions.
"The board had earmarked funding specifically for squad strengthening and set as a key objective for the manager the delivery of this objective.
"It will be clear to fans that the desired strengthening of the squad has not been achieved and that the football club is operating largely with the same first-team squad as last season except that Sam Togwell and Michael McIndoe have replaced Stephen McPhail and Chris Shuker.
"Recently, the club entered into contract negotiations with the manager and as part of these discussions was seeking a commitment to squad strengthening.
"Rather than creating a basis for a compromise in views, these discussions served to emphasise the difference in opinions on how the club can best maintain its Championship status. As a consequence, the board felt that it had no alternative to the decision it has taken today.
"It is extremely disappointing to have arrived at this point. The board are grateful to Andy Ritchie for his part in winning promotion for the club to the Championship. The key challenge now is to maintain that status."