Bolton sack manager Owen Coyle

Owen Coyle

Bolton have announced that Owen Coyle has been relieved of his duties as manager following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat away at Millwall.

That loss left the Trotters, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, down in 18th place in the Championship with 11 points from 10 games.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside said in a statement on the club’s website that “it is the right time for a change” after veering off course from their pre-season target of promotion back to the top flight.

“Owen poured his heart and soul into the job, both on and off the pitch, and he led our club with great dignity during some very challenging times,” Gartside added. “I would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Owen, Sandy Stewart and Steve Davis for all their hard work during their time at Bolton Wanderers.”

Coyle made the controversial move from Burnley to Bolton in January 2010 and enjoyed an impressive first full season at the club, which reached the FA Cup semi-finals and finished 14th in the table having spent much of the campaign inside the top half – playing some excellent football along the way.

But a run of poor results left the club in danger of relegation in the final weeks of last season, before their fate was finally sealed with a 2-2 draw away at Stoke City in May – ending Bolton’s 11-year spell in the Premier League.

And with the club struggling in the second-tier during the opening months of the new campaign, Gartside has taken the difficult decision to part company with the manager who was recently one of the most highly-rated in the country.

“I have always been driven to act in the best interests of the club and care passionately about it,” Coyle commented. “I had fantastic times here as a player and it has been a privilege to have held the post of manager.

“I want to thank the fans for their backing since I returned, the chairman Phil Gartside and the owner Eddie Davies for their support and friendship and the club’s staff and players for all their effort and commitment.

“I wish everyone connected with Bolton Wanderers all the very best.”

Bolton have confirmed that, for an interim period, academy manager Jimmy Phillips and head of academy coaching and development Sammy Lee will take temporary charge of the first team squad.

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