Charlton first-team coach Mark Robson decided to leave the club to pursue his ambition to be a manager or assistant manager.

Robson, whose departure was revealed on Kent Online 12 days ago, has spent the last eight years at The Valley.

He has also served as youth coach, assistant academy manager, reserve-team manager and development coach in addition to his four years as a player.

Robson said: "Charlton is a great club and I have been privileged to serve it in a number of roles.

“I have had tremendous support from the club and its fans and will be sad to leave.

“I am ambitious, however, and would like the opportunity to either become a number one and take the reins at my own club, or take on an assistant manager’s role elsewhere.”

He added: “I wish Alan Pardew and the staff well, and I hope the squad he is building will be able to bring Charlton the success they deserve. It has been a pleasure to work with him, all the staff and the players and for the fans of this fantastic club.”

Pardew said: “Robbo has been a great servant to Charlton and a great help to me and previous managers. He has helped to develop the careers of several young players at the club.

“He is a dear friend and always will be, and I fully understand his ambitions and respect them.

"I’m certain he will get a chance in his own right, and will be a success wherever he goes.”

Robson became first-team coach in December 2006 following Pardew’s arrival at the club.

He started that campaign as development coach under Iain Dowie and then became assistant head coach to Les Reed when Dowie departed the club in November.