Charlton Athletic EXCLUSIVE: Steve Gallen eyes ‘unbelievable’ promotion, backs Lee Bowyer for the top and more
At Charlton Athletic’s end of season awards night last weekend, Lee Bowyer made it clear to those in attendance the person who he believes is one of the main reasons behind the club’s current success – Steve Gallen.Such is Gallen’s modest character he became flustered and somewhat embarrassed by the Charlton manager’s public praise.
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14Steve Gallen is really enjoying his role as head of recruitment at Charlton
Charlton FC
14Gallen has cut the League One club’s wage bill by 30 per cent over the last two yearsBy and large the 45-year-old from Acton likes to stay out of the limelight and let his actions do the talking.But
Gallen is helping to build something special at The Valley, alongside Bowyer, club legend Johnnie Jackson and goalkeeper coach Andy Marshall.The good times look on course to return for the south London outfit, which is all the more impressive considering the continued uncertainty behind the scenes regarding the ownership of the club.Under Bowyer’s management they are vying for promotion back to the Championship via the play-offs this season.They travel to Doncaster on Sunday in the first-leg of their semi-final clash, which is LIVE on talkSPORT 2.
14Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has done an excellent job to date at the ValleyIt hasn’t been easy though – far from it. Gallen has confessed to ‘many sleepless nights’ during his two-year tenure as head of recruitment to date, but says the role is one which has really enhanced his skill set.Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT.com, he said: My role has been a lot more than the head of recruitment here this year.“We have no chief executive, so I have taken on a lot of extra responsibilities – drawing up the contracts is just one of those things.It’s been a real transition for me, at QPR I was dealing with the academy and then the Under-23s, but at Charlton I am involved in all the departments.I feel Ive gained a lot of experience and as a result have a much better understanding of all aspects of the running of a football club.“It’s really nice to be somewhere now where I have a position that can make a difference. Im really enjoying it.“It’s me, Lee Bowyer, Johnnie Jackson and the Academy Manager basically organising everything, and theres a really good balance between us all.
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14Gallen says he’s had ‘many sleepless nights’ during his two years working at the club so farGallen has taken full advantage of his break in the game – something he wasn’t sure that was ever going to come his way.When 19 years of loyal and excellent service working at his beloved QPR came to an end back in January 2016, he was unsure where his future would lie.A short, yet productive spell managing Hong Kong Pegasus followed later that year, but being the family man he is Gallen was always destined to return to the UK.After returning to the Rs in a part-time capacity as an opposition scout, an opportunity arose for him to join Charlton as head of recruitment in April 2017 – working alongside friend Karl Robinson – and it wasnt something he was going to pass up.“It’s been such a whirlwind experience at Charlton, but I’ve loved every minute of it,” he said.
14Many expected Gallen to follow Karl Robinson out of Charlton when he left the Valley last April“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in football.Some may find that strange, as QPR are of course the team I support and always will do.“I had an amazing time and have many happy memories of working there in the academy and youth teams, winning many trophies and helping aid the development of young players.“When I became first-team coach there it was a dream come true – but that’s possibly the unhappiest I’ve been in football if Im completely honest.Although I was unbelievably proud to be in that position, I wasnt really involved with any tactics, team selection, recruitment and so forth. I really wanted to help influence things.But when I got to the top at QPR – the pinnacle for me really – I felt like the door had been closed on me in some ways.It’s so different at Charlton. I’m involved with a great group and it feels good.
14The 45-year-old was advised against signing Lyle Taylor last summer – but he ignored those recommendationsWhile Robinson parted company with Charlton last March, Gallen stayed put.He has now overseen four transfer windows during his stint in south London with the Addicks operating on a comparatively modest budget for a League One club.When first taking up the role Gallen was told that cutting the wage bill was an immediate priority.It has been trimmed down 30 per cent during that time – but Charlton still remaining fiercely competitive on the field.Gallen has played a key role in a number of shrewd acquisitions that have been made in that period, none more so than Lyle Taylor.
14Taylor has rewarded Gallen and Bowyer for their show of faith – scoring 24 goals in 42 appearances“I spent weeks trying to get Lyle Taylor,” he explained. Every day I was going flat out to get him, it was exhausting and mentally draining.“It nearly took me a week to recover from that process. I just wanted to sleep and do nothing else it was one of the most difficult and challenging periods of my life.“But you look at the impact he’s had at this football club on the field and the way he’s conducted himself off the field, and you think to yourself ‘you know what it was worth it in the end – he’s been first class.”Explaining the process behind the deal, Gallen added: Jason Pearce [defender] had played with Lyle so he helped persuade him to come here and I also spoke to a couple of Lyle’s former coaches.“Lee and myself then met up a couple of times with Lyle and his representatives and were thoroughly impressed with the way he came across.
14Jason Pearce helped Gallen persuade Taylor that Charlton was the right club for him“Sunderland offered him more money, then there were Oxford, Southend, Bristol Rovers – they all wanted him – but the lad decided he wanted to come to Charlton.“We knew getting him in could be a game changer – the difference between promotion and mid-table obscurity.“Losing Karlan Grant was obviously very disappointing in January, but it was a good deal for the club, all things considered.“But last summer was when things were really stressful. Funds were very tight. We knew Lyle would be a crucial signing for this football club.Gallen was right. Taylor has established himself as a firm fans favourite, notching 24 goals in 42 appearances for the Addicks – who go into the play-offs as the in-form side in the division.The recruitment side of things hasn’t been easy for Gallen to operate though, with the ownership of the club still up in the air.
14Former Addick Karlan Grant joined Huddersfield back in January in a deal worth over 2million“I was constantly fighting fires – especially last summer,” he sighed.“Everyone was trying to find a bad story about Charlton and it was making my job a lot harder to get players in.“We had little money, so we had to work very hard to get deals like Lyle’s over the line. We are only paying a small percentage of Krystian Bielik’s wages for example, too.“We’re very thankful to Arsenal for letting us have him on loan – he’s been great. At the end of the day a club of this stature deserves success – the fans, the players and the manager.“I am doing absolutely everything I can in order to play a part in that hopefully occuring.
“If we get promoted it would be unbelievable considering the financial restraints we had to make last summer and in January – on top of everything else going on.Gallen has developed a real rapport with Bowyer – readily admitting he isn’t the type of character he envisaged before their first-ever meeting.He’s so calm and composed. Hand on heart, I’ve never seen him angry,” he said.
14Charlton are only paying a small percentage of Arsenal loanee Krystian Bielik’s (left) wages“When he was a player he was a no nonsense midfielder, and I expected a similar character when I first met him – I was wrong.“We haven’t had an argument, that’s pretty uncommon when it comes to football!”He added: “Lee is a big pull for this football club.“I’ve been massively helped in my role by having a guy of Lee’s calibre in the dugout, let’s be honest.“We’ve attracted some quality players, some much better than League One standard, so he has to take huge credit for where we are right now.“He’s been brilliant, and I can see him getting to the very highest level in management.“We have complete faith in one other’s ability and we just bounce off each other really well. Lee’s had a big influence on me.Another man who has made a lasting impact on Gallen’s career is none other than Neil Warnock.
14Bowyer and Gallen have developed a fantastic rapportThe pair worked together for a short period when the veteran boss returned to Loftus Road for a second spell as interim boss back in November 2015.Gallen says the month he spent alongside the veteran boss was the most rewarding of his career.“I had one month at QPR when I was working with Neil Warnock and Kevin Blackwell, that was probably the best month of football in my life. I absolutely loved it,” he smiled.“Before he came to QPR Id watch him from a distance and I wasnt sure wed get on to be honest with you. But then I had the privilege of working with him. He was really, really good.Charlie Austin pulled me to one side after the first day of training under Warnock and said I really like him Steve, he’s class.Training was so much fun under him, and everything was so organised and professional. I see similarities between that time and what weve got going on here now at Charlton.
14Gallen says his one-month spell working with Neil Warnock at QPR was the ‘best month of football’ in his lifeWarnock hammered me a couple of times. I was a 41-year-old man at the time and he made me feel like a 17-year-old – but you know what I still loved him for it!“I will talk about Neil a lot with Lee Bowyer. When he asks me for advice Ill say to him ‘this is what Neil would do’ in certain situations.Behind the scenes you wouldnt believe how humble he is. He was so buzzing when he came back to QPR. “I hope he gets Cardiff promoted again next season – is there any better manager in Championship history?Clearly Gallen had a similar impact on Warnock, with the promotion master keen to add him to his coaching staff in south Wales just two summers ago.He hasn’t been Gallen’s only admirer, as former QPR midfielder Joey Barton was also looking at the prospect of him joining his ranks when he first got the Fleetwood job last summer.
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14Warnock offered Gallen a coaching position at Cardiff in the summer of 2017And then there was an offer to link back up with Robinson at Oxford earlier this season – a role where he’d be earning more money than he is at the Valley now.Gallen turned it down – he has unfinished business at Charlton after all. So what does the future hold for him?I thought Id end up coaching until the day I retired to be honest with you. I kind of fell into this role,” he admitted.Whatever I do, whether its coaching, administration, scouting or the academy – I want to do my best.I miss coaching, but I recognise that one day that if I went back into that field then I will need someone off the pitch I can completely trust and be able to approach about certain things.“I think Im that person at the moment for Lee, doing all the stuff behind the scenes to ensure the club is operating well. It’s like a family here, and I love it.”
14Joey Barton wanted to bring Gallen to Fleetwood when he first took over as manager last summerHe continued: I worked at QPR for years and I was no ones man. I wasnt Neil Warnocks man, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbainks or Les Ferdinands. I don’t want to be seen simply as just someones man.Im everyones man. Im the clubs man. I dont do anything that I dont believe isn’t in the best interests of Charlton Athletic Football Club.Thats what kept me at QPR for so long. I didnt put all my eggs in one basket with one guy.“I’m excited for the future, I’ve hopefully got another 20 years left in me, but who knows what is around the corner. The good news for Charlton fans is that Gallen is in advanced discussions over a new contract, as is Bowyer, whose current deal expires at the end of next month.First, they must get the small matter of winning promotion out of the way…
We will bring you live and exclusive coverage of EVERY EFL play-off match this year. Charlton take on Doncaster away in the first leg of their play-off semi-final on Sunday (kick-off 12:15), with the return leg on Friday night (kick-off 19:45). Both games are live on talkSPORT 2.
Charlton Athletic EXCLUSIVE: Steve Gallen eyes 'unbelievable' promotion, backs Lee Bowyer for the top and more The League One side's head of recruitment sat down with talkSPORT.com to discuss
Charlton Athletic EXCLUSIVE: Steve Gallen eyes 'unbelievable
Charlton Athletic EXCLUSIVE: Steve Gallen eyes 'unbelievable
26th May 2019 Richard Cawley Comments Off on Lee Bowyer: Charlton Athletic is even more attractive to new owners - I can't understand why it hasn't happened yet Charlton Athletic Sport Lee Bowyer expecting contract call - but his mobile is off tonight as he celebrates Charlton Athletic promotion
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Charlton Athletic EXCLUSIVE: Steve Gallen eyes 'unbelievable' promotion, backs Lee Bowyer for the top and more Written by: fpnews Posted on: May 12, 2019 At Charlton Athletic's end of season awards night last weekend, Lee Bowyer made it clear to those in attendance the person who he believes is one of the main reasons behind the club's
Steve Gallen eyes 'unbelievable' promotion, backs Lee Bowyer
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At Charlton Athletic's end of season awards night last weekend, […] Steve Gallen eyes 'unbelievable' promotion, backs Lee Bowyer for the top and more - Fussboll Home
Charlton Athletic EXCLUSIVE: Steve Gallen eyes 'unbelievable
Charlton Athletic EXCLUSIVE Steve Gallen eyes unbelievable promotion backs Lee Bowyer for the top and mor admin May 12th, 2019 0 Comment The League One sides head of recruitment sat down with talkSPORTcom to discuss a range of topics Read More..
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Charlton Athletic EXCLUSIVE: Steve Gallen eyes 'unbelievable' promotion, backs Lee Bowyer for the top and more Sunday, 12 May 2019 At Charlton Athletic's end of season awards night last weekend, Lee Bowyer made it clear to those in attendance the person who he believes is one of the main reasons behind the club's current success
Steve Gallen eyes 'unbelievable' promotion, backs Lee Bowyer
sportsalert.org/2019/05/12/steve-gallen-eyes-unbelievable-promotion-backs-lee-bowyer-for-the-top-and-more/
At Charlton Athletic's end of season awards night last weekend, Lee Bowyer made it clear to those in attendance the person who he believes is one of the main reasons behind the club's current success - Steve Gallen. Such is Gallen's modest character he became flustered and somewhat embarrassed by the Charlton manager's public praise.
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Charlton Athletic EXCLUSIVE Steve Gallen eyes unbelievable
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