HARRY Kewell is confident Latics’ ownership understand it will take time to get the club heading back in the right direction.

The Oldham boss is however well aware that results will ultimately have the final say on how long he remains at the helm.

This afternoon’s clash with Southend will see Kewell take charge of his 32nd league game, the same as predecessor Dino Maamria and the joint-most of any boss appointed by Abdallah Lemsagam in his three years as Latics owner.

Kewell talks about needing three years of his own to properly turn things around and believes the club’s hierarchy, sporting director Mohamed Lemsagam included, are on board with that.

He also knows an improved league position will help his cause with Latics 17th ahead of hosting the struggling Shrimpers.

“I’m sure they’re understanding but they’re winners. I’m a winner too,” Kewell told The Oldham Times.

“We want the best but we’ve got to be realistic as well. They understand.

“I think this is a huge club, I think it needs to get back to where it has been but it’s going to take a lot of work.

“We’re working, we’re trying to put things together but we need to be able to put results on the board first and foremost and then like I said, it’s down to them.

“I’ve loved every minute here. Do I want it to continue? Of course I do because I think this club could actually go somewhere.

“My staff are enjoying it, my medical staff are pulling together, we’re working with everyone to get this club back to where it should be.”

Kewell’s team have been wildly inconsistent this season as attacking flair has been mixed with some calamitous defending.

He has spoken about fans “riding out the darkness” and with his team in the wrong half of League Two, the former Crawley and Notts County boss maintains his first season at the club was always going to be a battle.

Kewell inherited only a handful of players six weeks before the season began and, like other bosses, is managing through an unprecedented pandemic.

“We always knew that this year was going to be the toughest year,” the head coach said.

“People are not going to be happy with certain ways we play, certain results but we have to see it out and then we have a foundation to build on.”

In terms of his vision beyond the end of the campaign, Kewell points to the current champions of England as an example of the rewards patience can bring.

“I will always say it takes three years for a manager to put his squad together,” Kewell said.

“If anyone wants to question that or argue that you just look at the best teams in the world.

“Look at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp’s team has completely changed from when he first walked in there.

“It takes time. This can’t just happen. I don’t think any team is able to just go bounce, bounce, bounce.

“Even though we should dream big, we’ve got to be realistic as well.”