Paul Dickov job safe 'for the time being' says Oldham chairman

Oldham manager masterminded victory over Liverpool

Oldham chairman Simon Corney has indicated that manager Paul Dickov's job is safe - for now.

Speculation was rife that the Scot, who led the Latics to a stunning 3-2 win against Premier League side Liverpool in the FA Cup yesterday, faced the sack this morning due to the club's miserable form in League One.

They have drawn one and lost seven of their last eight games to sit a point above the relegation zone, but Corney told BBC Breakfast: "I think Paul's okay for the time being.

"Paul and I have a great working relationship and Paul puts pressure on himself. If you lose seven out of eight games (in the league) then you're going to be under pressure.

"Hopefully this will be the kick-start and we won't be talking about Paul's job again."

Corney handed Dickov a vote of confidence on New Year's Eve despite placing assistant manager Gerry Taggart, reserve team boss Lee Duxbury and fitness coach Paul Butler on gardening leave.

He then refused to offer assurances over Dickov's future after full-time on Sunday, saying: "We know we have poor form in the league and things need to be changed.

"Football changes. People are very fickle, fans are very fickle, everyone is very fickle. Nothing will take away from the fact I need to change things to stay in this division.

"Let's see what happens. Nothing has been decided and I couldn't tell you any more than that.

"If you asked 1,000 people last week if we should change the manager, 999 would have said yes. Today 999 would say no."

A first-half brace from Matt Smith and Reece Wabara's superb header after the interval did the damage against Liverpool before the Latics survived waves of pressure to hold on for a famous win and set up a fifth-round home tie against Everton.

PA