Charlton Athletic in takeover talks after CEO stands down following fan backlash and protests

The club announced that Katrien Meire will leave the Addicks and not be replaced

Chief executive officer Katrien Meire will leave the club and not be replaced (Getty)

Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet has revealed the club are in takeover talks with "various interested parties" after confirming chief executive officer Katrien Meire will leave and not be replaced.

"We will now be reviewing our management structure," Duchatelet said. "Katrien will leave at the end of this month but we're not looking to directly replace her as we're currently in talks with various interested parties regarding a potential takeover of the club.

"In the meantime, both (director) Richard Murray and myself will take up a more active role, with Richard liaising with the current senior management team regarding the daily management of the club."

The club said Meire, appointed when Duchatelet completed his takeover in January 2014, will leave at the end of the month.

"This has personally been a very difficult decision to make as I love working for the club with all the terrific staff at The Valley and Sparrows Lane, but I believe I need a new challenge," Meire said.

Murray added: "The news of a potential takeover will obviously attract attention. However, we must look forward and our focus still remains on getting promotion to the Championship this season."

Belgian businessman Duchatelet took control of Charlton in early 2014 when he acquired 100 per cent of the club's shares.

He revealed he was open to selling earlier this month and it has been reported Australian businessman Andrew Muir has been in talks with the club.

A large section of Addicks fans have protested against Duchatelet, while Meire has also been heavily criticised for her role in the club's ownership.

Charlton were in the Championship when Duchatelet bought them and were relegated to League One in 2016. Current head coach Karl Robinson is his seventh managerial appointment.

The Addicks' 3-1 defeat at Southend on Boxing Day saw their winless league run extended to six matches. They are ninth in the table, two points adrift of the play-off places.