STEVE GRITT has described his appointment as Charlton’s new academy manager as his “dream job”.

He returned to the club as successor to Mick Browne who left at the end of last season to take up an appointment as head coach at the Qatar Sports Academy.

Gritt, 46, spent almost 20 years with Charlton as a player and was joint manager with Alan Curbishley between 1991 and 1995. As a player he made 435 appearances for the club.

He later managed Brighton between 1996 and 1998, going on to become assistant manager and caretaker manager at Millwall. After leaving the New Den last year he found himself out of full-time work for the first time since leaving Charlton in 1995.

During the last few months he had scouted for Charlton after being invited back by assistant manager Keith Peacock.

“I’m excited by my return to Charlton, a club which is dear to my heart and one that I know well,” said Gritt, who officially takes up his new job on July 1.

“I was told last Monday that I had been short-listed for the job and on Tuesday got the call to say I had got it. To be honest it took time to sink in for a few days.

“I know I’ve been handed an exciting role which is an enormous challenge. Over the next few years I hope I will be able to continue the good work that has gone on before and help produce talent good enough to make the first team squad.

“This is my first academy role, but it is not a career change on a whim. I’ve been involved with first and reserve team players in the past and now I want to get the best out of the young players with the club.

“Working with youth has always been something that I’ve been interested in, so to do that back at my old club is a dream job.”

Charlton chief executive Peter Varney said: “I am delighted that Steve has agreed to join us in what is a vital role at the club.

“Mick and his team have done an excellent job in establishing our youth academy. The success of the reserve team last season, which was made up of young, home grown players, is testament to the work that has been going on behind the scenes.

“Steve has a vast amount of experience in the game and a genuine feel for the club. I’m sure he is going to be very successful in his new role.”