Oldham Athletic appoint former Fleetwood, Barnsley, Shrewsbury, Tranmere, Dundee United boss Micky Mellon as their new manager.
The Oldham Times first reported that the 51 year old has agreed what was believed to be a three year deal to the summer of 2026.
This comes ahead of the club’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash away at Altrincham this weekend
Mellon should be in the stand at Moss Lane on Saturday to watch on with Paul Murray in charge for this one, following the departure of Steve Thompson and Neil Redfearn, who acted in interim charge for the sacked David Unsworth.
The Latics currently sit 12th in the National League, with 19 points from 15 games, six points above the drop zone and 3 from the playoffs.
👋 Welcome to Latics, Micky Mellon! #oafc
Tap for more ⤵️
— Oldham Athletic (@OfficialOAFC) October 13, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT
Oldham Athletic are delighted to announce the appointment of Micky Mellon as the club’s new first team manager.
The vastly experienced Mellon arrives at Boundary Park on a three-year contract, having achieved promotion on five occasions with three different clubs during a 15-year managerial career.
He led Fleetwood to the National League title in 2012 having taken them up to the fifth tier two seasons earlier. He then plotted Tranmere’s return to the EFL in 2018 – part of a back-to-back promotion which saw him guide them to League One.
On joining Latics, Mellon said: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity at a wonderful football club and I am determined to deliver the success that everyone here craves.
“The aspirations of the club and the developments in recent times mean it is a genuine privilege to be joining Oldham Athletic at this juncture. There is so much potential here and the scope to achieve something very special.
“The supporters of this club deserve success and together I want us to embark on a journey that will create lasting memories for us all.”
Mellon’s playing career lasted 17 years, featuring two promotions and more than 500 senior appearances, most notably with Blackpool, Burnley and Tranmere.
He earned his first managerial role with the ambitious Fleetwood, taking them from the National League North to League Two, achieving success through the play-offs in 2009/10 and the National League title two seasons later.
He earned another promotion by leading Shrewsbury to League One, finishing the season with a run of eight wins from ten games, which was instrumental in helping them finish the campaign in second place on 89 points.
After securing their place in League One, Mellon took over at Tranmere, leading them back to the EFL in his first full campaign, before completing successive promotions with victory in the League Two play-offs.
He left the Wirral for his native Scotland, taking charge of Dundee United, before returning to Tranmere in 2021.
The Oldham Athletic Board added: “Micky’s credentials as a manager speak for themselves. He has a magnificent track record, he is a proven winner and we are extremely pleased to welcome him to the club.
“Over the last three weeks, we have conducted a comprehensive recruitment process, engaging in dialogue with various candidates.
“During this time, we have spoken to Micky for several hours on a number of separate occasions, and his passion, experience and drive to bring success to Oldham Athletic has always shone through.
“We’d like to thank Steve Thompson, Neil Redfearn and Paul Murray for their collective efforts in looking after first team matters for the last six games, allowing us to complete this process.
“We can now look forward together to an exciting next chapter with Micky at the helm.”
After Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup tie at Altrincham, Mellon will be in the dugout for the league visit to Rochdale next weekend. His first home game will be against Altrincham on Saturday 28 October. Be there by securing your seat at tickets.latics.co.uk.
View this post on Instagram
Here’s what fans had to say as Oldham appoint the former Fleetwood, Barnsley, Shrewsbury, Tranmere, Dundee United boss…
@oafc19: Great news, hopefully some players will come in asap to sort the midfield and winger situation out
@joerob_96: happy with this. #oafc
@booie_86: Definitely gets them promotion. Good luck mikey top man 👍
@ZaaanderSmith: Very good appointment. Knows non league like the back of his hand but Oldham fans won’t enjoy the football along the way. I’d say like to wish him well but I don’t hope he sends them down.
@prentonpete: I wish him well.
@michael_macca: If it’s another 3 year deal, I really hope they have put some performance clauses in the contract. Otherwise it’ll be a big payout again if it doesn’t work. #oafc
@Greavesey2403: The board are damned if they do & damned if they don’t. One side say its harsh on Thommo, but if they went down that road they would get the usual ‘cheap option’ slur. Seems theyve done the process properly & if it’s Mellon PLEASE give him time before the pitchforks are out #oafc
@loud_MM91: Wasn’t the biggest fan of Mellon coming in, but you just cannot argue with his record. Hopefully he can change the mentality of the players, and start winning consistently. Think players like Reid, Norwood, Hogan will thrive under him. Let’s get behind him #oafc
@oafcwould: Seems we’ve hired a manager who wins more than he loses, who has shown he can get teams gelled and promoted. Stop moaning you sad bastards. Winners win, losers lose. Promotion this season or next is happening. Great appointment this if it happens. #oafc
@rphamer1984: Mellon was my 2nd choice. Happy with it. Someone with experience and a history of success. 3 year deal? Hmm… but there could well be clauses & exits (for both sides). Hopefully he can get us winning.. nothing else matters to me – just winning #oafc
@dean_hutchings: Happy with it on paper! Anyone questioning his managerial credentials knows nothing about football. You only need to look at his record, or will Oldham ruin it 😂 #oafc
@HarryBeevor: That’s us promoted then
@AndrewAHerbert: Treat him better than our “fans” did hopefully smashes it
@alewis36: Not a bad appointment for them
@Lifstylejourne1: Cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would be ‘underwhelmed’ with Micky Mellon! Tell me the last manager we had with such an impressive CV of Success. I don’t think there is one #oafc
@johnclarke1981: Melon wasn’t my first choice but he went to Cheltenham. I’m at the stage where i can handle wins over sexy football now if that does turn out to be the case, who knows we may get both. Just get us out of this frigging league. Welcome Micky💙 #oafc
@Ant_olsson93: Just want him to be happy, really hope it works
@northernpic: #OAFC surely we must be happy with Mellon. Somebody who’s actually achieved something in football.
@LaticsPaul: Happy with Mellon! Couldn’t give a flying turd how long the contract is for a proven manager. That’s all down to financials and it’s worth the risk. Only questionable on an unproven manager #oafc
@Stever62Roberts: Good luck to the fella. And that’s about it really!
@cambo691: Good luck Mickey
@dannybolton23: Thank you Thompson did a great job but I feel this is the sort of appointment needed, now get us out this fucking league. MICKY MELLONS BLUE AND WHITE ARMY 💙🍉
15 years experience
Knows the level
Back to back promotions with Tranmere
2 promotions from the National League.
5 promotions during his career with 3 different clubs
Won the National League title
45% win ratioOldham fans who haven’t done anything in 32 years #oafc pic.twitter.com/nuqKL9okLm
— Preston Oldham (@Prestonoldham51) October 13, 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment Login