Could Keith Curle become the latest victim of Oldham’s Sack Race?

The dugout-span of an Oldham manager is short.

In some incidents it’s a case of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it...Paul Scholes infamously managed the club for all of 31 days.

Oldham’s last seven managers have averaged just 19 games apiece, which doesn’t bode particularly well for incumbent Keith Curle who has suffered six defeats in seven matches this term - including Saturday’s 4-0 loss at Leyton Orient - which leaves the troubled Latics rock-bottom of the Football League with the division's leakiest defence.

Curle replaced Harry Kewell in March on a temporary contract through to the end of the season, with the club finishing 18th. He signed a permanent deal in May after lengthy discussions.

“It's taken a bit of time to sort out because for me to do my job properly going forwards I wanted to get an understanding of exactly what is required, the expectations and what I'm responsible for,” Curle said at the time.

The former Carlisle and Northampton boss has since endured a difficult start to the season and has already received the ‘dreaded vote of confidence’ from the club’s trigger-happy owner Abdallah Lemsagam, in an open letter to Oldham fans:

“I think Keith is a good Head Coach for us and has the right experience to help us do well in League Two.”

Meanwhile, Curle himself has said: “The challenge is still there to improve results and create an upward curve. I’ll improve this football club and I’ll improve the results.

“The job in hand is a difficult one, but I’ve got to say, it’s an enjoyable one. If things aren’t going your way, what you do is you can turn around and walk away and just say ‘it’s not for me’ or you make it work, and I’ve got the type of character and personality, and people around me that are on board that we will turn the results around.”

It’s difficult not to feel sympathetic towards Curle who has the lowest budget in League Two, is under a transfer embargo, and has been hampered by injuries. 

Curle is a seasoned EFL manager who previously worked in difficult circumstances at Carlisle, a club he turned around, but history tells us that Lemsagam is a rash and ruthless owner who could switch managers at any given moment.

There’s no doubting who the supporters want gone.

Fans are extremely frustrated at the controversial owners - who are reluctant to sell - to the extent that a cluster even invaded the pitch recently and sat in the centre circle in protest. Oldham have since frozen matchday ticket sales and season tickets have been suspended. Further protests are planned.

There have been reports that former Wigan manager Gary Caldwell, who recently left his role as interim coach of Newcastle’s U23s, was being lined-up as a potential replacement for Curle if he left. However, The Oldham Times has denied these rumours.