Karel Fraeye is the mark of insanity
To the surprise of no one the South London Press appear to think that Roland Duchatelet will once again ignore any semblence of common sense and install Belgian network patsy Karel Fraeye at The Valley this week, initially in a caretaker role. What is it they say about insanity? Doing the same things over and over again but expecting different results.
This for many Addicks will be a step too far.
Fraeye was Jose Riga’s assistant manager for the 16 games he was in charge. After they were both dismissed by Duchatelet, Fraeye got his first ever managerial job at the age of 37 with Belgian 3rd Division side VW Van Hamme. This is what he said at that time:
“I look back on that (Charlton) with a fantastic feeling adventure. It was an intense period with each two matches per week, but I have learned a lot. I cannot thank Mr Duchâtelet enough for this opportunity, but on the other hand, I would also continue to develop as head coach. Hence the choice for VW Van Hamme. Hamme is for me a step forward in my development. Charlton I regard as an unexpected chance to sample the professional game , but i do not want to skip steps. Mr Duchâtelet understands my choice and supports me 100% because in addition to the work at Van Hamme I will also continue to do analytics and scouting for the network, just as the past half year. I will also have a coordinating role for his network.”
Dear, dear me. What an absolute joke we have become. Sorry, continue to be.
In case you’re interested VW Van Hamme lay 12th (out of 18) in the Belgian 3rd Division, yes 3rd Division, you read that right, and have won just 1 of their last 5 matches. On a good day 350 people show up for a home match. Prior to his work under Riga, Fraeye was on the coaching staff of Belgian amateur side KFC Eendracht Zele. I am sure his mother loves him, but honestly Peeters and Luzon are Brian Clough compared to this bloke.
To back up the SLP story the bookies have slashed the odds on Fraeye becoming the next Addicks manager after initialling installing Malky McKay as favourite after he watched yesterday’s game from the director’s box. Remember the Addicks are now without a manager/head coach, assistant, 1st team coach and chief scout. And we are still over budget!
Here’s a list to ponder.
Nigel Pearson, Gus Poyet, Stuart Pearce, Paul Lambert, Nigel Clough, Brian McDermott, Paulo DiCanio, Alan Curbishley, Tim Sherwood, Dave Jones, Glenn Hoddle, Alan Irvine, Alex McLeish, Oscar Garcia, Michael Laudrup, Shaun Derry.
The list goes on of experienced managers with English league experience currently out of work. If Roly and Katrien had any form of scouting ability they would also find a number of really good young British managers operating below The Championship.
But, no it is the Belgian 3rd Division to where we turn.
Chicago Addick 
two things cheered me up yesterday CA. One was meeting a Charlton fan from Wigan, and another from Hereford, in the Covered End. To travel that distance to watch our current shambles is heroic.
The other was the thought that a defeat might bring changes. Word was that it could be Holloway. Now the Holloway appointment might cause horror amongst many clubs, but in the kingdom of the blind the one eyed man is king. A british manager with Championship experience. What a thought!
How naive am I? Why would Roland think that experimenting 3 times with his inexperienced foreign lackys was enough.
On the way back yesterday we booked our coach places for the next 2 Saturday home games and Brighton away. Bit stupid really. When I heard it was Fraye next I told my son we wouldn’t go. We’d boycott. But when you think of those blokes from Wigan and Hereford its a bit churlish really. So we’ll go and clap the players off again like we did yesterday..
Pembury Addick
When is the last time you saw them win PA?
Yeah but Olloway took Wallmart dahn n you ave to look at is track record. Why not ave Riga back e ad a bad time at Blackpool but did so well dahn our gaff n got ourn playin well, or better still bring back Curbs, is no nonsense we’ve juss got to get on with it iss juss wot we need on ere.
All very depressing and insanity sums it up perfectly.
There is at least a glimmer of hope that we will see an experienced ‘head coach’ get the job given it is supposedly a caretaker role. Although, knowing our current set-up, it’s probably just a PR stunt to give that exact impression to supporters.
lol -you had to ask CA…
Huddersfield at home last season, February I think. We reckon we’ve seen them win 3 times in the past 37 or so games we’ve seen Reckon we could be the problem not Luzon!
Pembury Addick
Haha. I reckon you are qualified to become interim head coach PA 🙂
This appointment is on a par with that of Les Reed and Iain Dowie
Roland Rat strikes again. Charlton fan for 52 years. Never ever thought we be going back to the bad old days of the 90s but with this muppet in charge. Heading there fast. At least we had the fans and a team that tried. Well thinking of getting in contact with trading standards about the mugging i have had for my season ticket.
I traveled from the US to see Carlton beat QPR to start the season. How lucky I was. I’ve never seen a club or franchise I follow make a decision as indefensible as this.
To look outside the network is to publicly admit its failings. Roland wants to prove that football can be successful whilst going against the norm. No agent fees, sister clubs, a 30yr old female CEO with no prior football experience. He’s not interested in results in terms of football, only to prove that his views on how football can be changed.
It’s for these reasons that whilst he owns the club we will only ever conform to his ideology. No manager outside the network will be considered because they wouldn’t be able to work with these rules. Luzon for his faults was the best available in this system and he wasn’t even given a year.
Yes we benefit from a strong scouting network and investment in the youth set-up – the current squad whilst lacking in depth is definitely not lacking in quality – but if the person in charge can’t get them competing then what’s the point?
The game against Preston was one of the worst performances I’ve ever seen, and even with a first choice XI on Saturday the performance was only moderately better. New coaches may have an immediate impact because of different methods, but the Championship is tough and Peeters, Luzon and whoever follows will eventually be found to be as inflexible as the owner.
Fantastic post.
From a distance here in Sydney Australia, I watched the Brentford game on Bein Sports and was amazed at poor Charlton were…Limited ability around the park and no tempo to the game at all..players lacking fundamental skills and no real structure.our forwards were 2 yards slow and never threatened..Vardy was playing div 2 football a few years ago!!!..I honestly believe that we need a solid “English” appt, aka Pearson or Lambert..and be happy to Build for the next 1-2 years and utilise what would appear to be a great academy system..