Parkinson and Simpson become the latest managerial casualties

(GETTY IMAGES)

Phil Parkinson and his coaching staff were yesterday dismissed by Charlton Athletic's new owners. The decision, announced on the League One club's official website, came after the 4-2 defeat at home to Swindon on Monday the Addicks will announce the appointment of a caretaker manager "in due course".

Following the takeover of the club last week, new chairman Michael Slater had stated he would back Parkinson in this month's transfer window and give him every support. Slater has now backtracked on his comments, confirming the departure of Parkinson, assistant manager Tim Breacker and first-team coach Mark Kinsella.

"Clearly improvement is needed on the field. The team has not won in the league since November and recent performances have simply not been good enough," Slater said. "Last night's defeat convinced us as a board that change is required now while we are still in the hunt for promotion, and that we must appoint a new manager to give us every chance of going up."

Parkinson was appointed at The Valley in November 2008 and leaves Charlton in fifth place of League One, just three points off the automatic promotion places.

Stockport have sacked manager Paul Simpson after less than six months in the job. The League Two club have won just five of their 23 league games since Simpson was installed as Gary Ablett's successor in July and lie four points above the relegation zone.

A club statement read: "After much deliberation, and in view of the recent run of just three wins in the last 19 games, it has been decided that a change is necessary if the club is to achieve its aims for this season and beyond. The board would like to place on record their thanks to Paul for his considerable efforts while at Edgeley Park. This is a very important time for Stockport County, with our Football League status the main priority, the board felt that given the club's current league position, the best way forward was to agree to make a change now.

"The board of directors are pleased to announce that Peter Ward will be placed in charge of first team affairs as caretaker manager."

Meanwhile, Port Vale have stepped up their search to find a replacement for Micky Adams by formally approaching six potential candidates. Jim Gannon watched Vale's 2-1 win over Burton on Monday, while the club are also believed to have approached former Carlisle manager Neil McDonald, Paul Trollope and Mark McGhee. Vale chairman Bill Bratt has indicated he is keeping his options open before naming his new manager.