Nathan Jones has revealed that he has “tentative” talks about the Charlton Athletic boss job back in September – but that the timing was not right for a SE7 return.
The Addicks have appointed the 50-year-old Welshman as their new manager over the weekend.
It is the second change that has been made to the Valley hotseat this season with Dean Holden sacked in August and then Michael Appleton appointed the month after.
Jones also made the final two in Millwall’s search for Gary Rowett’s successor but the South London club went for Joe Edwards.
“I had a tentative conversation back in September but it wasn’t the right time in everything,” Jones told Charlton’s official website. “I needed to take a spell out after my time at Southampton. I took time out to spend with family and do things I hadn’t done for pretty much my whole life.
“When I felt ready to get back in, probably six to eight weeks ago, I started to listen to offers. I had a number of opportunities to go back in – Championship clubs, I had a chance to go abroad and other League One clubs – but Charlton has a real place in my heart.
“I know it’s a fantastic club. I know the predicament it is in now but this is a place that can really go places and a club that can really go places.
“I spoke to the owners and it was an extensive process because I needed to know that they were in it for the long term and wanted to do good things. They want to take Charlton to levels it has been before and that’s the project I wanted.
“My daughter is three-and-a-half now and for two-and-a-half-years of her life I wouldn’t say I’ve been absent but I haven’t been the dad I should’ve been, being at home and spending time with her. That (his break from the game) has been absolutely priceless and no amount of money or anything can take that away now.”
Jones has the title of manager – his successor Appleton was head coach, as was Dean Holden.
Asked about that, he said: “It’s not just my doing. Charlton told me when I met everyone here – Andy (Scott), Jim (Rodwell) and the owners – they have certain things they want to do, how they want the club to evolve, what changes they want done and how it is driven. That’s the job of a manager and that is what appealed to me.
“Now I don’t mind being a head coach but if certain things on recruitment need driving, the environment need driving and a lot of other things then that’s the role of a manager. That’s why I’m a manager, I’ve got slightly more responsibility than a quintessential head coach would have.”
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