Sam Allardyce has resigned as manager of Bolton with immediate effect.

 

More news when it is on the bbc site

Allardyce has been linked with the manager's role at Manchester City and refused to attend the press conference after Saturday's 2-2 with Chelsea.

 

He said: "This has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever made but it's time for a new exciting era for Bolton under different leadership."

 

Chairman Phil Gartside added: "I have reluctantly accepted the decision. His reasons are private, we respect that."

 

 

Do you reckon it has anything at all to do with bungs? :unsure:

IGNORE

 

I got the wrong story obvss

Maybe, as my local news (Look East) keep going on about how Luton are in trouble for it so maybe.

No idea what it's about, but he's been great for Bolton since he's been their manager so it seems all a bit wierd that their chairman just accepts the resignation with open arms...

 

No idea who'll be Bolton's new manager though.

Last Updated: Sunday, 29 April 2007, 15:03 GMT 16:03 UK

Allardyce resigns as Bolton boss

BBC Sports News

 

Sam Allardyce has resigned as manager of Bolton with immediate effect.

He has been linked with the manager's role at Manchester City and refused to attend the post-match press conference after Saturday's 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

 

He said: "This has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever made but it's time for a new exciting era for Bolton under different leadership."

 

Chairman Phil Gartside added: "I have reluctantly accepted the decision. His reasons are private, we respect that."

 

Allardyce has spent over 18 years at the club, as both player and manager, but steps down with two matches of the current campaign still to play.

 

The Trotters are currently in fifth spot and chasing qualification for a Uefa Cup place.

 

But in a statement on the club website, he said: "It was mutually decided that I step down now rather than at the end of the season.

"That will give my successor the ideal opportunity to experience the preparation and build up of matchday in readiness of next season.

"After guiding the team into a position where the club is on the verge of qualifying for European football for the second time in three years, I feel it is the right moment to step down.

"I feel the club is in a great position to continue its upward trajectory with a talented, internationally-recognised squad supported by an excellent Academy programme under the guidance of a highly-skilled football management team.

"The foundations for the next phase is well and truly in place. It is with this knowledge that I feel confident that I am moving on with my life content with a legacy that I have tried to create for this special club.

"I wish the owner, chairman, staff, players and all the fans every success in the future."

 

Meanwhile, Gartside paid his own tribute to Allardyce, saying: "Since joining the club as manager in 1999, he has helped lead a fantastic transformation of this famous Lancashire club.

 

"He has helped design and build an infrastructure that will enable the club to continue the progress we have undoubtedly made during his period of office."

 

 

well we already knew he was going at the end of the season, but seems strange for him to bring his departure forward by a couple of weeks

He's taken the club as far as he possibly can/ Whatever the reasons, it's the right time to go. However, it won't benefit the club. I can see them being in the bottom half next season at best.

Can see him at Newcastle if Rodent gets the push in the summer, Man City would be a big step down for Fat Sam whereas Newcastle are a sideways step with more cash to spend

Well Sam Lee has been announced as Fat Sam's sucessor.

 

Not too sure about the choice. He was good at Liverpool and he seems to have done well at Bolton as well, but i'm not sure whether Premiership management is just right for him yet, but he seems to more than capeable to be prepared for it, and there's still another couple of games to go before the season ends to show just how good he possibly is. Gartside seems to rate him higher than Fat Sam anyway...

Apparently Allardyce quit over the funds that were available

 

..probs not the best idea for him to manage Newcastle then :lol:

But Newcastle always get loads of funds! £9m for Luque, £15m for Owen, £10m for Martins, £5m for Duff. In the past four or five years only the top four have spent more.