The former head coach of Swindon Town has spoken out about leaving the League Two club following his recent sacking from his new club.

Ben Garner was appointed manager of the Robins back in July of 2021 as the first manager of the then-new owner, Clem Morfuni.

The English coach faired well on the whole in his maiden season, guiding Town to the play-offs after a decent sixth-place finish.

Swindon fell at the first hurdle of the play-offs though, losing to Port Vale in the semi-finals on penalties despite winning the first leg held at the County Ground.

The season featured many highlights, including the visit of Premier League champions Manchester City in the FA Cup third round, with Garner’s side even managing to put a goal past the Citizens.

Scoring past a Pep Guardiola team was clearly not enough for Garner though, who announced he would be leaving in the summer for pastures new, specifically Charlton Athletic.

His assistant coach Scott Lindsey was appointed as his replacement in June of this year and Lindsey remains in charge currently.

Things have not gone smoothly for Garner at Charlton however, with the club having won just five matches of the 20 they have played so far in League One.

Due to this run of poor form, Athletic find themselves currently in 18th position in the table and subsequently chose to part company with Garner, with the manager just six months into the job.

Garner has spoken out for the first time since the sacking in a statement published by the League Managers Association on Monday.

Alongside detailing his time at the League One outfit, Garner also spoke of the choice to leave Swindon in the summer.

“It was a difficult decision to leave Swindon Town at the end of last season but the opportunity to manage Charlton Athletic was one I could not refuse,” he said.

“The challenge excited me, and I was confident of being able to bring success back to a great football club whose supporters deserve nothing less.”

Swindon currently sit eighth in the League Two table, just outside the play-off positions by a point, albeit having a poorer goal difference than those directly above and having played a game more.

The Robins will next be in action on Saturday as they travel to Barrow, hoping to end an unwanted run of five games without a win.