Dowie targets return to football

By Andrew McKenzie

Dowie was sacked on 13 November

Former Charlton manager Iain Dowie is keen for a return to management after his shock departure from The Valley.

The former Oldham and Crystal Palace boss was fired by Charlton after just 12 league games in charge of the club.

Dowie, who is also facing a legal battle with Palace chairman Simon Jordan, told BBC Sport: "Clearly I want to get back in the game.

"For the time being I'm just spending time with my family and then I'll move on from there."

606 DEBATE: Could Dowie do a job at your club?

Dowie and Charlton are yet to agree a compensation package over his exit and the 41-year-old has so far remained quiet on the reasons for his departure.

Charlton announced Dowie's sacking following a review of the club's structure earlier this month, with his assistant Les Reed stepping up to replace him.

DOWIE'S CLUBS Charlton (May 06 - Nov 06) C Palace (Dec 03 - May 06) Oldham (May 02- Dec 03)

But the club, who are bottom of the Premiership, also cited Dowie's legal battle with Jordan as being a factor in the club's troubled start to the season.

The Palace chairman is suing Dowie over his exit from Selhurst Park, claiming he agreed to waive a £1m compensation clause to allow him to leave to be nearer to his family in the north west.

Days later Dowie was appointed by Palace's local rivals Charlton, although the former Northern Ireland international claimed he did not speak to Charlton until after his departure from Palace.