Hart steps down as Charlton assistant manager

Paul Hart joined Nathan Jones' coaching staff in February

Charlton Athletic assistant manager Paul Hart has left his role, the club have confirmed.

The 71-year-old joined Nathan Jones' coaching staff in February with the Addicks eventually finishing 16th in League One.

It marked the fourth time the pair worked together following spells in 2018 and 2020 at Luton Town, and at Stoke City in 2019.

Hart thanked the club on its website, and said the decision was made so he "could spend more time" with his family.

'My closest friend'

Hart said: "Nathan has an excellent staff and structure around him and I have no doubt that there is an exciting future for the club under him.

"With that in mind I felt the time was right for me to step away from the day-to-day nature of the role and the travel that entails to allow me to spend more time with my family."

Nathan Jones added: "Paul has been a massive influence on my career since the time I met him in 2012."

"He’s someone I’ve kept by my side for a long, long time. He’s been through almost every situation in football, so as I was embarking on my managerial career it was vital I had someone that I could trust and someone who cared about my development.

"Paul is not just a mentor now, he’s one of my closest, if not my closest friend - I’ll continue to lean on him.”

The club confirmed Curtis Fleming will replace Hart as assistant manager with James Brayne becoming first-team and set-piece coach.