Ex-Portsmouth and Millwall manager departs after 20 matches in charge of strugglers
Weymouth are currently second from bottom of Southern League Premier South
A former Pompey boss has left his latest managerial job after just 20 matches in charge.
Steve Claridge replaced Warren Feeney at Weymouth in August and was challenged to transform the fortunes of a struggling club who had been relegated last season.
However, the Blues Hall of Famer was unable to turn the tide at the Southern League Premier South outfit, who are presently second from bottom at the season’s half-way point.
Yet he admitted it was a struggle to attract players because of Weymouth’s location and has regularly been unable to fill the substitutes’ bench on match-days, although did slash their wage bill.
Two substitutes available and a defender playing in goal
Indeed, for a 4-0 loss at Chertsey earlier this month, the Terras had just two substitutes to call upon, while they were recently forced to play a defender in goal for the entire match, with two goalkeepers unavailable.
Now, following one win in their last 11 games, Weymouth have announced the 59-year-old’s departure by ‘mutual agreement’.
‘The club would like to sincerely thank Steve for his hard work and contribution over the last few months.
‘Current Coach Jamie Wells has been appointed First Team Manager with immediate effect.
Weymouth legend Jason Matthews has agreed to return to the club as Director of Football.
‘Having a previous good working relationship together, both Jamie and Jason will work directly with the Board of Directors to ensure a smooth transition and improved results.’
Claridge’s final match of his second Weymouth managerial spell was Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home to relegation rivals Plymouth Parkway.
Despite taking the lead through their first goal in four matches, they subsequently had a player sent off and ended up losing to Rock Neal’s last-gasp winner.
Weymouth’s decision to replace Claridge comes just days before facing local rivals Dorchester Town on December 27 - who are two points ahead in the table.
However, with five wins and 12 defeats in his 20 matches in charge, they have now installed Wells at the helm, while Matthews returns to the club having left in October citing the need to take a break from football.
It’s a disappointing end for Claridge at the club where he has spent three spells, with his latest return marking 25 years in management.
Appointed as Pompey player-manager
It was October 2000 when Claridge took on the role of Pompey player-manager following the departure of Tony Pulis under Milan Mandaric.
However, it would prove to be a short spell, just four-and-a-half months and 23 matches, as Mandaric replaced him with Graham Rix - and then denied that Claridge had ever been a permanent appointment.
He later went on to manage Millwall, Weymouth, Salisbury, Fleetlands and Weymouth once more, until the Terras announced his departure on Monday night.