Charlton Athletic Online

Yep, the speculation was right - Iain Dowie is the new manager of Charlton.

Dowie has about 4 years management experience, having managed Oldham from 2002 and a Croydon-based team before joining the Addicks.

He beat at least 19 other interviewees to get the post.

He will be assisted by Les Reed and Mark Robson.

Dowie was born on January 9, 1965 in Hatfield, but as his father was born in Belfast Dowie qualified and gained 59 caps for Northern Ireland.

Apparently, he has a Masters degree in mechanical engineering, which he believes helps him to be logical and analytical in his approach to football management.

A combative centre forward in his playing days, he suffered from being one of the ugliest footballers around. He began at non-league Hendon in 1987, he then had stints at Luton, Fulham, and West Ham United, before moving to Southampton, where he made over 100 appearances.

Dowie then signed for the Croydon team he managed later, and as with his managerial stint, his short spell as a player there ended in relegation.

Dowie moved back to West Ham before joining Queen's Park Rangers, where he ended his playing days, and became player-manager of the reserves.

He joined Olham Athletic as assistant coach and then got promoted to first team manager, and against the odds, he took Oldham to the play-offs.

Apparently, Dowie is famous for motivating his players and he has read more than once inspirational books like 'Beyond Winning' and 'Chicken Soup for the Soul'.

Let's all hope that his skills are the requirement for taking Charlton forward.