CHARLTON chairman Richard Murray has confimed that head coach Iain Dowie was sacked by the club following a review of the club's structure.

He also revealed that Dowie's assistant Les Reed was being promoted to head coach and that development coach Mark Robson was becoming assistant head coach.

The Addicks chairman said: "One of the key features of our club during my time as chairman has been stability. It is something I feel is essential in all successful businesses.

"It goes without saying, therefore, how hard it was after only 12 Premiership matches to reach the decision we have.

"Over the past two weeks we have conducted a review of the structure we put in place during the summer which involved all senior football management staff.

"The results of this review have, we believe, left us with little option but to act in the manner we have.

"Crucially we had to consider whether we believed our current situation would improve and we reluctantly came to the conclusion that it would not.

"In the situation we find ourselves in, it is also vital that everyone works as a team. Unfortunately, I have to say that has not been the case.

"By committing some £11.2m on new players in the summer we believe we demonstrated our support for Iain Dowie, as we have also done by backing him with the legal action initiated against him by Simon Jordan."

Mr Murray said the club needed as little disruption as possible which is why they had promoted Reed and Robson.

"Both have a solid Charlton pedigree and I am confident they will do everything within their power, together with the players, to turn our season around," he added.