Phil Parkinson has told Sky Sports News that his decision to snub Huddersfield Town and remain at Charlton was entirely down to ambition.
The Club were left in the very embarrassing position, of being without their special guest at a press conference today, as Parkinson informed the club at 8.15am that he had opted against taking the reins at The Galpharm Stadium.
Huddersfield claim Parkinson informed them Charlton made him ‘an unbelievable offer’ to remain at The Valley, but Alan Pardew’s assistant has insisted his decision is down to ambition.
‘I think any manager, coach or player will tell you the opportunity to work in the Premiership is one which is very difficult to turn down,’ Parkinson told Sky Sports News.
‘I can’t fault the Huddersfield chairman or vice chairman for the way they have conducted themselves, they have been first class.
‘I said to them yesterday afternoon that I needed longer to consider my decision. I just feel with what’s going at The Valley at the moment and to work with Alan, which I believe will be in the Premiership next year, is one I just could not turn down.
‘I spoke to them (Huddersfield) on Sunday and went away to think about the decision. I said there are a few things in the contract we were discussing and while we were doing that, I talked with Alan and the people down at Charlton and just over yesterday I just thought I could not walk away.’
Countering Huddersfield’s assertion that his decision was motivated by money, Parkinson added: ‘It’s not at all (about the money). I have not firmly agreed a deal to stay with Charlton yet.
‘They have spoken about a deal, but it is the ambition of testing yourself and working at the highest level.
‘Charlton is a fantastic club and they have a fantastic reputation and it is something I want to be a part of. I don’t think anyone can blame me for that.
‘Huddersfield are a big club and I am sure whoever takes over will lead them forward, but I just felt the opportunity to work at Charlton is one I could not turn down.’
Vital view – Reading between the lines, they have spoken with him about a new deal, and he would rather play up the premiership angle and play down the money angle. Oh dear whatever happened to good old fashioned straight talking and honesty.
Close shave for Huddersfield the board and it’s supporters, judging by this we are far better off without Phil Parkinson.
As snubs go this is pretty humiliating, and made worse by all the double talk to save his and Charlton’s face, shameful.
However with a view to being fair to all, Vital Charlton’s view is – They think he’s staying because it’s a big step down. He’s been in the lower leagues with Hull and Colchester and Reading before and maybe he wants to test himself longer at a bigger club? If we stay up then he’s working at a premiership club with premiership players. Should we go down then its a different conclusion altogether. One thing to note is our current form and the built belief we are going to stay up. Should Pardew lose a key member of his managment team it could affect the tacticts etc and im sure while we are winning games Pardew would not want to change anything.
His former club Hull City Vitals site has this
After being given a better offer at Charlton, Parkinson decided he preferred to be Pardew’s assistant in the Premiership, rather than stepping back into the managerial firing line down in League 1.
Fingers are now being pointed between the two sets of fans, but Parkinson will always look after number one. After all, it would mean moving his family for the 3rd time inside a year and that’s possibly where the change of heart came from. VF Hull can understand his cold feet over the issue, but it’s probably a wise move in the end after his humilation at City.
Tell us what you think, was it ambition or was it money ?
Do you believe Parkinson or our Board ?
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its both, ambition and money, I believe our board.
I agree with Parky. I know you guys are disapointed and rightly so after getting as close as an hour away BUT it’s a step down and one he has decided he doesn’t need. Will be intresting to see where he is if we are relegated from the prem. Best of luck for the rest of your season.
money talks, ask any girl !
its about money, better off without him
hope Ritchie will swallow his pride and accept the job.
Both but it was foolish to arrange the press conference before the signature was completed on the contract. If the Huddersfield board decided that they could do a deal on a handshake then more fool they.
The Huddersfield board might be looking stupid, and why, for trusting someone’s word !, that says a lot about the state of the nation ! but I would rather that than be like Parkinson or Charlton. HTFC have come out of this looking folish but also looking a lot better than parky or charlton.
Charlton for the drop, come on u hammers, come on u Blades.
come on Town, hold your heads up, and move on, hopefully to Ritchie.
Reality of life in Uk in 2007, u cant trust somebody at their word !
Board shouldn;t have just taken his word, that was not good sense, in a way they have contributed to this mess. Parkinson clearly has lost his confidance and Charlton made him an offer better than ours, sad fact of life, my only concern is that we might have blown it with the other candidates, but would hope they are big enough to accept the situation and take the job if offered.
Parky has NO confidence after the last 9 months, plus I bet his wife wasn’t that happy about moving again. He will always be a coach never a manager, he’s too nice a man. I think you’ll be far better off without him, will do you all good in the long run, cos I doubt he would have got you promoted anyway. PS thanks for quoting my article from VF Hull, much appreciated!
Rob – we always try to support fellow Vital sites.
he’ s too nice a man, oohhh how nice , not too nice to go back on his word, or to make mugs out of a prospective employer, or to get a situation where he just happens to come out of it with a better deal for himself for the same job at Charlton, but thats just a coincidence of course, he sounds peachy !