Reed explains Charlton departure

Reed felt he was not given a chance by the media

Les Reed has revealed that it was his decision to step down as Charlton's head coach in December - and blames the media for making his job impossible.

Reed, who was in charge for 41 days, told the Addicks matchday programme: "Nobody told me it would be easy.

"What I had not accounted for was the media campaign that would create a hostile environment.

"I took the decision to step aside so the chairman could get the ball rolling on Alan Pardew's appointment."

Reed took charge after the departure of Iain Dowie in mid-November - but stepped down on 24 December, with Pardew named as the new manager hours later.

And Reed, the former technical director of the Football Association, believes the media campaign against him "was instigated by football pundits on television who did not know me or this club well enough to comment".

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The 54-year-old said that he would not have left the role if he did not think it was the best thing for the Addicks, who are currently second from bottom in the Premiership.

"I would like to make it clear I would have done everything in my power to get this club out of trouble," added Reid.

"But perhaps it was right man, right club, wrong time. My position had become untenable in circumstances not of my making and beyond my control.

"I had stated several times that I would not quit the job and betray the trust placed in me, so I did not walk away from the problem.

"I still believe in different circumstances I would have been a successful manager at Charlton and could still be a success elsewhere."