KEITH Curle believes an ‘open and honest’ relationship with the Lemsagam brothers – Latics owner Abdallah and sporting director Mohamed – will stand Oldham in good stead going forward.

Confirmation is still awaited on whether Curle will be handed the head coach role longer term. The finer details of his terms are being ironed out, with Curle understood to be seeking assurances over his budget.

But it is fully expected that the 57-year-old will remain in charge for the 2021/22 season having steadied the ship and secured mathematical safety following his appointment on a short-term deal last month.

And Curle feels the owners will already know what they are getting from him because of how he has worked with them from the outset.

Asked if he had a good relationship with the Lemsagams, Curle told The Oldham Times: “Yes. The first thing I did was to open up the lines of communication whereby I speak to the owners very regularly so they know exactly what I’m doing, I’m very transparent in how I work.

“The lines of communication need to be in place to have success as well and that’s managing downwards and managing up.

“I want the owners to know what I’m thinking, what I’m doing, why I’m doing things and the more they know hopefully the more they enjoy their football club.”

Curle is the ninth appointment of the Lemsagam regime. Paul Scholes had the shortest tenure, lasting just seven games.

The former Manchester United ace was delighted to take charge of the club he grew up supporting, in March 2019, but resigned after only 31 days, saying he “would not be able to operate as I intended and was led to believe”.

Harry Kewell, who Curle replaced in March, said he spoke with Abdallah “two or three times a day” to discuss “information about the team.”

He added: “He just wants to know how the team is looking and things like that.”

And communication is key for Curle.

“I don’t think it would be fair or just for me to say what’s gone on previously, all I can do is give clarity into what I’m like as an individual, how I manage – how I manage players, how I manage the footballing department,” said the former Carlisle and Northampton boss.

“I think I can make it an enjoyable place to be when we win and people be accountable when we lose, and I put myself in that as well.”