London: Charlton, anchored at the foot of the Premiership, on Monday parted company with their manager Iain Dowie after only 15 games in charge.

The club brought a premature end to Dowie's reign after Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Wigan left the Addicks with a meagre eight points out of a maximum 36.

Charlton are likely to put assistant Les Reed in charge for the weekend Premiership clash at Reading.
Dowie, 41, took over from Alan Curbishley on a three-year deal in May after a controversial move from Crystal Palace.

He has spent almost 10 million pounds since taking over and despite a poor Premiership run has led Charlton to the quarter-finals of the League Cup.

A statement on the club's official website confirmed his exit, "The Addicks announced on Monday night that head coach Iain Dowie had left Charlton."

"The club will issue a further statement on Tuesday morning,"  he said.

Dowie received a vote of confidence late Monday from an unexpected source when his former chairman at Palace, Simon Jordan.

Jordan, despite taking his former manager to court over last summer's move to The Valley, told Sky Sports News, "I think Charlton haven't really given him a chance."

"It's a shame because Iain is a bright young coach, and he's a strong character. One of the things Iain brings to a football team is strong leadership," he said.

"I don't wish anybody the sack. Gutless, faceless people take those decisions, don't they? You don't get people after 12 games pulling the trigger because something hasn't gone right. You get behind the guy if he is doing things the right way," he said.

Jordan stopped short of saying he would take Dowie back at Palace, who are struggling under replacement Peter Taylor.

Curbishley ruled out any possibility of returning to his old job.

"I left Charlton for a new challenge. Going back would not be good for me or for the club," he said.

After a playing career which took in spells at West Ham, Southampton and Palace as well as a distinguished international career with Northern Ireland, Dowie took his first steps into management at Oldham.

He led them to the Division Two (now League One) play-offs in 2003 but after financial trouble hit the club, he moved on to Palace in 2003.

The south London club were languishing in 19th in Division One but a sensational run of form saw them reach the end-of-season play-offs and earn promotion to the Premiership.