Phil Parkinson has had his say on protesting Charlton fans ahead of his return to the club.

The former Addicks boss will walk out of the Valley tunnel later today for the first time since leaving SE7 in 2011.

Parkinson’s successor and a fans’ favourite, Chris Powell, was the first casualty of Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet’s reign.

The numerous managerial sackings and continual sales of the club’s top players have seen fans protest against the regime.

MORE: Bolton boss reveals Charlton player was his first ever signing as a manager

Dale Stephens, Joe Gomez, Yann Kermorgant and Jordan Cousins are just some of the talent that Duchatelet has flogged off.

But, Parkinson says that while the fans might not be happy with the way the club is being run, the Addicks are in a good financial position.

He told News Shopper: “Charlton fans are proud of their history with getting the club back to the Valley. Charlton is close to the hearts of supporters and they care about the club passionately.

“If they’re not happy then they’ll show a level of discontent. But, equally I think financially, Charlton are probably in a stronger position than many clubs at the moment.

News Shopper:

Phil Parkinson 

“So, as much as they might not be happy with the way the club’s being run, it seems from a distance that they’re in a strong position.”

Russell Slade, Duchatelet’s seventh manager in two-and-a-half years, is seen as the man to take Charlton back up to the Championship.

And Parkinson could not agree more, the 48-year-old added: “Russell is a good manager, he’s got a lot of experience at a number of levels - he knows what’s required.

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“It’s a bit like us [Bolton], it takes a while to reshape your squad.

“I’ve watched some of the games they’ve played and as you’d expect, Charlton will be right up there at the end of the season - there’s no doubt about that.”