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It's been 7 days since Owen Coyle was sacked. Bolton have been strongly linked with several successors, but they have all distanced themselves from the post. There is no immediately obvious man for the job, and while we certainly don't want the board to rush into a decision like this, it is important that a new man be brought in with enough time to settle the club before the January transfer window, so that he has a least a bit of a chance to mold the team as he wishes.* It was surely with this in mind that Sky Sports News published an article connecting Sammy Lee with the job.
Lee, who has been involved with Bolton off and on in various capacities since 1990, gave an interview to Bolton's official site, which is probably what led to Sky's speculation. He said,
These last few days have been fantastic, but I've thoroughly enjoyed my time since I have been back here, if I'm being honest. When Jimmy and I were asked to do it, we didn't give it a second thought. I will do whatever I can for the football club.
The boys have been spot on. They have been focused and I have been very pleased with their application. We know there is a lot of quality in that dressing room. We have a game-plan which we want to impose on whoever we play, but in order to do so you have to have the basics right. We have been working hard on that and have stripped things back.
People say the amount of games is a hindrance in this league, but I see it as a joy. It's a very demanding league but there are three games in quick succession. If we get a good points tally out of those we are back in the mix, and that is what we are looking for.
People say you are only as good as your last game, but you are not. You are only as good as your next game and that is Bristol City at home where everyone will hopefully be up and ready to go. We need the 12th man at the Reebok on Saturday - the fans can make such a difference. They need to inspire us but we also need to inspire them from the pitch too.
Hopefully we can both do it together and get the right result.
However Marc Iles, lead football writer at the Bolton News tweeted today
Note on training this morning – Jimmy Phillips leading session, Sammy and Julian doing coaching. JP man in charge.
— Marc Iles (@MarcIles) October 16, 2012
Which does seem to rubbish the idea that Sammy Lee would be taking the helm. Regardless, hopefully the two men leading the club now would stay whoever comes in, giving both the squad an easier transition, and providing a strong, competent backroom staff for Bolton's next manager, something that was sorely missing under Coyle.