Liverpool's Phil Thompson is becoming the most famous caretaker since Harold Pinter's and he too may be booked for a long run. His five matches in charge have seen three victories and no defeat. The stricken Gerard Houllier, meanwhile, may not return this season, if at all.
But as Thompson prepares for his most testing week, with a crucial Champions League match against Borussia Dortmund at Anfield tomorrow, his first home game at the helm, followed by the challenge of Manchester United on Sunday, he is increasingly aware of someone breathing down his neck.
After his latest success Thompson said: "Gerard is making a great recovery and should be out of hospital soon following his heart surgery. He's not picking the team yet - I am - but it's getting close. I had six phone calls from him today."
Thompson's success, which he modestly attributes to keeping everything as it was under Houllier, means that Liverpool are under no pressure to bring the Frenchman back prematurely. But against Charlton Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Redknapp all proved their fitness. This week Thompson will have to make difficult choices.
Meanwhile, the Charlton manager Alan Curbishley has been angered by comments made by the Derby boss Colin Todd, who has criticised the way the London club has handled his son. Defender Andy Todd was transfer-listed by Curbishley last week following a training-ground incident on Tuesday which left goalkeeper Dean Kiely sporting a black eye like polished ebony.
Curbishley said: "Colin had his say without knowing all facts. He reacted like a father who thought his son had been hard-done-by. I was disappointed by his comments. Colin and I played together. But I spoke with him on Friday and cleared up a few things."
It is obvious that what happened on Tuesday was more serious than a mere thrown punch. Curbishley dropped Todd for Wednesday's match at Aston Villa, put him on the list and has banned him from training with the first team.
Curbishley hinted that Todd's career at The Valley may not be over and that he would welcome an apology from the player. Curbishley has wider worries. Rather like George Burley at Ipswich, he is finding over-achievement difficult to sustain at a small club.
Liverpool's strikes, early on by Redknapp and just before half-time by Owen, broke Charlton's spirit. Redknapp scored with a 14th-minute close volley following a throw-in from Stephen Wright and a flick-on by Gerrard. Owen's score was trademark stuff, catapulting clear of the offside trap before clipping the ball over the goalkeeper.
CHARLTON: Kiely, Young, Fish, Brown, Powell, Robinson, Jensen (Parker 86), Kinsella, Konchesky (Bartlett 60), Johansson, Euell. Subs Not Used: Roberts, Peacock, Fortune.
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Wright, Henchoz, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Redknapp (Berger 71), Hamann, Murphy, Owen (Fowler 62), Litmanen (Heskey 82). Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Smicer. Sent Off: Wright (88). Booked: Wright. Goals: Redknapp 14, Owen 43.
Referee: P Jones (Loughborough).
