Varney: Dowie's deals cost him

11:25am Wednesday 7th May 2008

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IAIN Dowie's failure in the transfer market was a key factor in Charlton's decision to let him go after only 15 games according to outgoing chief executive Peter Varney.

The Addicks have always remained tight lipped about the reasons for Dowie's shock departure, but now Mr Varney has confirmed the former Crystal Palace chief's spending spree had played a major part in the sudden parting of the ways.

Indeed, Mr Varney added he still wasn't able to go into any detail on the other factors which saw Dowie sacked as there are still issues to be resolved between both parties.

However, Mr Varney confirmed a settlement should be reached within the next six months and things would become much clearer then.

He said: "Dowie was very impressive in his interview, but he spent a lot of money which Richard had made available.

"To be fair, those signings didn't work whether it was Traore, Diawara or Amdy Faye.

"Andy Reid was injured for a long period of time, although he subsequently came good, but in the main those signings didn't work which was probably Iain's problem."

Mr Varney added: "He had followed someone who had always kept Charlton in a healthy position in the Premier League.

"It was always going to be difficult for whoever took over from Alan Curbishley.

"He needed the signings to work and the signings didn't work.

"We found ourselves down at the bottom of the league, so the board took the decision to make the change. There are other factors, but the problem is it is an ongoing situation so I'm not going to be able to go into that yet.

"There will be some kind of closure on that whole era within the next three to six months."

To read the second of our two part interview with Mr Varney click here