With Phil Parkinson amicably leaving his managerial post at Bolton Wanderers last week, one of Sharon Brittan & Football Ventures' first tasks has to be appointing a new manager. I’d also love a new kit too please! The current favourite at 2/1 is ex-player, Kevin Nolan. Jay-Jay Okocha is a tasty 150/1, if you fancy it!*
Signing for Bolton at the age of 16, Nolan made 345 appearances, earning admiration from the fans by playing an important role in Wanderers being promoted to the Premier League and transforming into a well established top flight team. Super Kevin Nolan was also part of the Bolton team who went to Munich and came back with a 2-2 draw, any chance to bring that up hey!
However, after the debacle that I like to refer to as the “Ken kerfuffle” a.k.a the last few years, Wanderers fans have had to endure, they need a long term plan. From what I have seen so far, Football Ventures seem to have that at the forefront of their minds - with Sharon Brittan telling Marc Iles this morning that they have a three year plan in place and properly financed, which is so refreshing to hear. Would Kevin Nolan fit in as their choice as a long term manager?
Kevin Nolan hasn’t had the most successful managerial career just yet, having been sacked from both Leyton Orient and Notts County. The latter, most would say wasn’t fully deserved, after he saved the Magpies from relegation in 16/17 and then guided them to the League Two play-offs the year after. The 37 year old was also relieved of his duties as player manager at Leyton Orient in 2016 with his team only two points off the play-offs, winning 7 out of 15 games. Both sackings seem a little unfair to me.
Notts County owner even said “Kevin has brought real pride, optimism and stability to this club which has not been seen for many years”. Something Bolton fans are hoping for in the coming months.
I’ve also just seen an Instagram story doing the rounds on twitter where Nolan is asked “Who is going to get the Bolton job?”, to which he laughs awkwardly. Makes you think…
Other favourites for the job include David lee, the under 23 manager and another ex-player. However he is untested in a first team position. Whoever is the next Bolton Wanderers manager, they’ll have one hell of a job. They will need time but with the right planning and some additions to the squad, there’s a chance the Whites can survive this season. Anyone else want a last minute goal to stay up again? I’m not sure my heart could take it.
Though I, as I’m sure you all are too, am just happy we still have a club to support. Here’s to hoping that something can be done to pull a deal through at Bury. What the Shakers fans have had to go through this week is unthinkable.
*Odds via Star Sports Bet