FORMER Swindon Town manager John Sheridan has agreed to return to Oldham Athletic as head coach.

Sheridan, who led Town towards the edge of relegation from League One before resigning in April 2021, is seen as a cult hero at Boundary Park and his appointment has been met with delight by Latics supporters.

Having played at Oldham too during his midfield playing days, Sheridan will take over for a sixth stint as manager - twice as caretaker - with the last coming in 2017.

Hoping to prevent Oldham from becoming the first former Premier League club to drop out of the English Football League, Sheridan has 21 games left to overturn a seven-point gap to safety.

Sheridan's Oldham will arrive at the County Ground on Saturday, March 12 for a crucial game in both club's respective seasons.

Following confirmation of Sheridan's appointment at the weekend, a brief club statement read: “Oldham Athletic can confirm that this evening John Sheridan has agreed to return as Head Coach with immediate effect.

“More details will follow next week but the club would like to thank Selim Benachour for his time in interim charge.”

Interim boss Selim Benachour, who replaced Keith Curle at the end of November, had earlier seen his side lose 3-0 at Harrogate, which left them bottom of League Two and led to poisonous scenes from fans at the full-time whistle.

Former Paris St Germain midfielder and Tunisia international Benachour leaves the job without a league win since his promotion from an academy coaching role following Curle’s departure.

Speaking after the defeat to Harrogate, Benachour said: “I have read that he (Sheridan) wants to come back and help and I would welcome that, no problem.

“I will sit down with the owners and see what’s happening. I will never hide, but I can go back to the youth team, no problem.”