Personality key in Nigel Adkins landing Charlton Athletic managerial post

Thomas Sandgaard says that Nigel Adkins’ personality was the biggest factor in him being appointed the new Charlton Athletic manager.

Adkins was named as Lee Bowyer’s successor on Thursday morning and took charge of today’s 2-2 draw at AFC Wimbledon.

Danish businessman Sandgaard flew in from the United States, where he is based, to watch the start of a new managerial era for the South London club.

And he told BBC London: “Nigel Adkins had the right background, the right experience and a very, very positive personality. That was very important.

“The major deciding factor was his personality. I was interviewing several options that had somewhat similar resumes. There was no doubt after I spoke to Nigel for the first time that he’d be right for the club.

“My vision is to slowly put the building blocks in place, so that we get where we want to be. We do that by simply improving the probability of winning games. We won’t win every game – it’s a tough league and the Championship will be even tougher – but what we can do is keep rebuilding this club.

“There is so much rebuilding to do. Some things were very easy to do when I got into it but there will be rebuilding before we are Premier League ready.”

Sandgaard has also managed to keep Johnnie Jackson as assistant manager, even though Bowyer wanted to take him to his new club Birmingham City.

The Charlton owner confirmed that he had to fight off Blues’ interest. He added: “There was a plan in place to make that happen. I worked hard with Johnnie and his agent to make sure he would stay – he is very important and has a great history with the club.”

PHOTOS: PAUL EDWARDS AND KEITH GILLARD