Oldham Athletic in 'no rush' to appoint new manager

Dean Holden made 125 appearances for Oldham as a player

Oldham Athletic are in "no rush" to find a manager to replace Lee Johnson, says chief executive Neil Joy.

Johnson moved to fellow League One side Barnsley on Wednesday, with first-team coach Dean Holden placed in temporary charge, assisted by Adam Lockwood.

The Latics also lost assistant manager Tommy Wright after agreeing undisclosed compensation for the pair.

"Obviously we're extremely disappointed that Lee has gone, but we move on now," Joy told BBC Radio Manchester.

"There's no rush from our point of view to make a permanent appointment and Dean and Adam have our full support at this moment in time."

Oldham have been linked with an approach for former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes, who is a lifelong Latics fan, but Joy refused to be drawn on the subject.

"We can't stop speculation and that will always happen with a vacancy," he added.

"As a club we won't be making any comment on that until a permanent appointment is made."

Holden, 35, returned to the club in November from Walsall to take up his coaching role and the former defender will be in charge of the team for the visit of Preston on Saturday.

"Neil Joy rang me on Wednesday and he said if it [Lee Johnson leaving] goes through today like we expect it to, then we want to you step up and be the caretaker manager for the foreseeable future," said Holden.

"Every experience in life we go through is an opportunity to put your own spin on something.

"I'll attack it like I've done with every experience I've had which is with honesty, hard work and passion.

"I've a sickening work ethic which I have always prided myself on."