Next Bolton Wanderers Manager
As Bolton head into the new year as a relegation occupier, the fans appear to have gotten their own way as those high and mighty at Bolton swiftly gave Gary Megson the boot this morning, leaving the club without a manager ahead of their FA Cup clash with Lincoln City on Saturday.
The Bolton fans, who have been unhappy with Megson’s arrival since day one, won’t be at all surprised with his departure but more relieved as Megson’s unattractive style and tactics has never gone down well with the fans in his two year tenure at the club. Bolton’s failure to hold onto a 2-0 lead against Hull City on Tuesday night, combined with Gary Megson’s decision to substitute the scorer of Bolton’s opening goal, Ivan Klasnic, led to disgruntled fans leaving The Reebok early, and it appeared the disappointing draw with Hull was the last straw as the club aim to get out of the predicament they are in before the January transfer market kicks into life.
With an old departure comes a fresh face but who will take over the reigns at Bolton? For now, Chris Evans (Not the annoying ginger DJ but the Bolton Assistant Manager) and Steve Wigley, will take charge in the meantime until a permanent manager is found. However, it didn’t take some bookies long to open up the ‘Next permanent Bolton manager’ market and we already have a frontrunner in Paul Jewell (5.00 Coral), although former Man City manager, Mark Hughes, has been hotly tipped to jump straight back into management but we don’t see that happening any time soon, especially not at a club such as Bolton Wanderers as that would be one mighty fall from grace after spending gazillions at Man City.
Instead, someone like Gareth Southgate at 17/1 with various bookmakers, seems a more than reasonable punt in what is basically the managerial version of ‘finding a needle in a haystack’. Southgate has expressed his desire to return to management on several occasions since his sacking from Middlesborough just a mere few months ago. I’m not sure if Southgate’s style of management will suit Bolton but he will have January to pick a few of his own providing Bolton hand him a half-decent kitty.
Another who will attract a fair few wagers is Alan Curbishley. The former; Charlton Athletic & West Ham manager has now been out of managerial work for some time now, nearly two years in fact, and I could actually see Curbishley on the Bolton touchline. He has relegation stricken club experience after tough spells with Charlton & West Ham, and he was even linked to the England post before Steve McClaren flopped for us instead, so he’s clearly a wanted man.
Also, Darren Ferguson maybe interested in an instant return to management if the call does arrive after the son of Man Utd legend, Sir Alex Ferguson, was controversially sacked by Peterborough in November, despite leading the club to back-to-back promotions from League 2 up to The Championship. Bolton, though, is a big step up for him but he would certainly thrive on such a challenge after leaving Peterborough on bitter terms, and we’re quite confident he would accept the post, but we aren’t sure if the Bolton board would be interested in his services just yet.
There are a whole host of former managers being linked with the vacant post and a whole host more will come soon enough. However, we advise caution as there is always someone who knows a little something and the market can become distorted very quickly. Also, be careful of any loose information. Bookies will jump on an excuse to dramatically lower the price of a possible manager just to entice punters and get them excited. Some common sense and know-how is required in this sort of market.
Our Proposals:
Gareth Southgate (Our more fancied selection) – 17/1 SkyBet
Alan Curbishley – 10/1 WilliamHill
Darren Ferguson – 9/1 BlueSquare
Next Permanent Bolton Manager:
Paul Jewell – 4/1 Coral
Peter Reid – 6/1 VCbet
Mark Hughes – 13/2 BlueSquare
Darren Ferguson – 9/1 BlueSquare
Alen Curbishley – 10/1 WilliamHill
Gareth Southgate – 17/1 SkyBet
Alan Pardew – 16/1 Boylesports
Alan Irvine – 25/1 Coral
Steve Coppell – 25/1 SkyBet
Steve McClaren – 25/1 BetFred
Steve Wigley – 25/1 SkyBet
(There are plenty of others – Too many!)
