Johnny Sanders, San Diego Chargers’ general manager...

Johnny Sanders, San Diego Chargers’ general manager and the team’s top administrator, was demoted and his assistant, Paul (Tank) Younger was fired in a shakeup that wiped out much of the management structure left by former owner Gene Klein.

Charger owner Alex Spanos said the reassignment of Sanders and the departure of Younger, 58, who was with the Chargers for 12 years, was in the making since he purchased the team from Klein in August of 1984.

Spanos said he felt a front office change was necessary for the Chargers, who have not had a winning year since 1982, when they finished 6-3 in a strike-shortened season. Spanos said Sanders, 64, the general manager for more than 10 years, will serve the final year of his contract as an assistant, principally involved in player contract negotiations.