Charlton owner has spoken to Steven Gerrard's assistant about manager's job

The position has been vacant since October when Nigel Adkins was sacked following a dire start to the campaign, which saw Charlton drop to their lowest league position since the 1920s.

One man that Sandgaard has spoken to is Michael Beale, the now Aston Villa assistant coach who had been credited for much of Rangers' success under now ex-boss Steven Gerrard.

The former Chelsea, Liverpool and Sao Paulo coach has strong connections to South London, growing up there and playing in Charlton's academy in his youth and has attracted Sandgaard's attention.

"He has a fantastic track record," the Addicks owner explained when speaking to London News Online, "especially on the supporting side. Of course we talked to Michael".

However, given that Beale followed Gerrard to Aston Villa just last week, the Charlton chairman may no longer have him as an option.

But all is not lost for the Dane in the search for a new manager.

Adkins' departure has served as an opportunity for assistant manager and former club captain Johnnie Jackson to take temporary charge and prove he has what it takes to step up and manage the club he's spent 11 years at.

And to say Jackson has grabbed the chance with both hands would be an understatement.

The 36-year-old's side have won 10 points from a possible 12 since he took over, including beating promotion rivals Sunderland on the road and holding high flying Rotherham to a 1-1 draw.

However despite Jackson turning Charlton's season around, the club's Danish owner has confirmed that the job search could still continue for another month.

Sandgaard said: "This is more of a business decision, rather than a fans' popularity decision.

"What is very obvious in a situation like this is we are interviewing potential other candidates that could be available at this level.

"I want to make sure we have enough time to do that, so we don't do anything hasty.

"If there is a better candidate for the club in the near and medium term out there, we'll simply just go back to the set-up like it was before. Johnnie is a great assistant manager, we already know that".

The Addicks face top of the league Plymouth Argyle this weekend, and if Jackson can win all three points in front of the Addicks faithful, Sandgaard may not need to look any further.