Oldham fan Pete Wild ready to step down as caretaker boss after FA Cup win over Fulham
Sunday 6 January 2019 18:28, UK
Oldham's caretaker-boss Pete Wild is ready to leave his dream job behind and return to the stands as a fan despite masterminding their FA Cup giant-killing at Fulham.
The Oldham supporter-turned-boss even left his train travel and match ticket unused on Sunday, as Sam Surridge's penalty and Callum Lang's header stunned the Premier League side with a 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage.
Wild insisted he would revel in his madcap touchline celebrations after Wigan loanee Lang scored the 89th-minute winner.
But, when asked if the FA Cup giant-killing would be enough for him to chase Oldham's permanent manager role, Wild replied: "No, like I've always said, I've been an academy manager two minutes.
"The fairytale will come to an end at some point, reality will strike. And you've got to be prepared for that.
"I've got a family to support and a mortgage to pay. Maybe there's a conversation with the chairman, but I'll just crack on until told otherwise.
"The players have earned the right to be in the fourth round; whether I'm there or not is up to the club.
"If I'm there to lead them out then fantastic. If it's a new manager, then I'll be in the crowd again, giving my support to the team."
Expecting to receive some light-hearted flak over his exuberant celebrations, Wild added: "I did exactly the same thing at Port Vale away last week.
"Everyone was making fun of me, but that's life. They can show it all they want.
"I haven't paid my mates for the ticket yet. They're on their way back to Euston out of pocket, but they said they'd stand me the £70 now!"
