Oldham replace Banide with Maamria

Oldham Athletic have sacked head coach Laurent Banide and replaced him with former Stevenage boss Dino Maamria.

The 51-year-old Frenchman was appointed on a one-year deal in June, but the Latics have struggled so far this season. 

They have won just one of their first nine league games this term and sit 21st in League Two. 

Banide’s last game in charge was a 2-2 draw at relegation rivals Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night. 

The club issued a brief statement on Thursday evening, which read: “Oldham Athletic Football Club can announce that Laurent Banide and Bouziane Benaraibi have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect.

“The club would like to thank the Head Coach and his assistant for their efforts whilst at Boundary Park over the summer and wish them well for the future.

“An update on the new Head Coach will be made soon.”

Within minutes, the club then announced that Banide’s replacement is Maamria, who has signed a deal until the end of the 2020/21 season. 

The 48-year-old was most recently in charge of Stevenage until he was dismissed earlier this month. In his first full season in charge, the Hertfordshire outfit finished on 70 points, just missing out on the play-offs by a solitary point. 

Maamria, who is of Tunisian descent, has had a lengthy playing career in England before stepping into coaching and then management.

He also knows the non-league scene well having managed at Northwich Victoria, Southport and Nuneaton Town. 

The former striker has also been a first-team coach and assistant manager at Stevenage, Preston North End and Newport County respectively. 

Maamria said: “I’m hugely excited to join such an historical football club. The vision and ambition of the Chairman was a big factor and the first priority is to stabilise and unite this great football club.”

He added: “I’m here to win football matches as well as improve, give confidence and belief to an already talented squad.”

He will take charge of his first game on Saturday when the Latics face a crucial match at home to the team directly below them in the table - Morecambe - at Boundary Park (kick-off 3pm).