Allardyce steps down at Bolton
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Allardyce steps down at Bolton
The 52-year-old took charge at Bolton in 1999 and transformed their fortunes, turning The Trotters into a solid Premiership outfit.
Reports on Saturday suggested he had opted to head for a new challenge, with it being claimed he had agreed a deal with prospective Manchester City buyer Ray Ranson to take charge at Eastlands.
Allardyce oversaw Saturday's draw with Chelsea, but it has proved to be his last act as he has confirmed his resignation in a statement on the club's website.
He has refused to divulge any reason for his departure, but Allardyce has claimed it is one of the hardest decisions he has ever had to make.
"After nearly eight privileged years with Bolton Wanderers Football Club, I would like to announce that, after careful consideration and dialogue with my close family and senior officials within the football club, I will be resigning as manager of the club with immediate effect," said Allardyce.
"It was mutually decided that I step down now rather than at the end of the season, to give my successor the ideal opportunity to experience the preparation and build up of matchday in readiness of next season.
"The decision to leave the football club, which has been my spiritual home for over 18 years, as both player and manager, is one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my life.
"However, after guiding the team into a position where the club is on the verge of qualification for European football for the second time in three years, which has been the accumulation of almost seven years of strategic building and hard work across all areas of the football club, I feel it is the right moment to step down from my duties and welcome a new exciting era for the club under different leadership.
"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 across all ages working under the guidance of a highly-skilled football management team.
"I believe the foundation of the next phase for the next development stage of the club 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 and I wish the owner, chairman, staff, players and above all the fans every success in the future." -
it is high time man city gets a manager with better track records.
allardyce really deserves a bigger club. man city is a good place to start.
good luck to him. -
Sam Allardyce yesterday brought forward his resignation as Bolton manager and is now a strong candidate to take over at Newcastle United this summer.
Now Allardyce is the front-runner to replace NewcastleÂ’s Glenn Roeder this summer, only 14 months after turning down the job at St JamesÂ’ Park. He has not committed himself to anything and is aware of interest from Manchester City, who are almost certain to part company with Stuart Pearce this summer.
Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd offered the job to Allardyce after sacking Graeme Souness in February 2006, only for his prime target to turn it down at the last minute.
That still rankles with Shepherd, who has also expressed private concerns recently that unsubstantiated allegations in the Panorama ‘bung’ investigation have put some people at the club off Allardyce. Shepherd has publicly insisted that Roeder will be his manager next season and the two have discussed transfer budgets.
Nevertheless, Shepherd maintains an admiration for AllardyceÂ’s work during his eight years at Bolton. Allardyce himself is known to prefer a job in the north west, where his wife Lynn is settled, and would be interested in the post at City.