I’ve left Bolton in good place, insists axed Coyle

Owen Coyle firmly believes he has left Bolton in good shape after he was relieved of his management duties yesterday morning.

The 46-year-old paid the price for a poor start to the npower Championship season, leaving the Trotters languishing in 18th place in the table after three wins in their first 10 league matches.

The Scot left Burnley in January 2010 to succeed Gary Megson at the Reebok Stadium, with Bolton struggling in the relegation zone.

He managed to save them from the drop but failed to emulate that last term as the Lancashire outfit lost their top-flight status.

However, despite Wanderers’ decline, Coyle believes his successor has a solid platform to build on.

“It’s a hugely disappointing day for everybody,” Coyle said. “We have worked very hard for long hours to put a plan in place at the football club for years to come.

“Whoever comes in is going to be a very lucky person to come into a wonderful football club, which has a structure in place that will benefit the club for many years to come.”

Coyle was obviously disappointed Phil Gartside decided to make the change but holds no ill feeling towards his former chairman and friend.

“Anybody who knows us knows how passionate we are about football and how passionate we are about Bolton Wanderers,” he said.

“That’s obviously been taken away from us today but the club, to be fair, came in and said a decision was going to be made. They had the grace to say we can dress this up however we wanted. Whether we say I was leaving or it was mutual consent, but the truth should be told.

“I have always called it straight and the bottom line is they have decided there was going to be a change. I wish them nothing but the best.’’

Academy manager Jimmy Phillips and head of academy coaching and development Sammy Lee will take temporary charge of the first-team squad, with their first assignment on Saturday week at home against Bristol City.

Former Wolves and Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy is the current favourite to be Coyle’s permanent replacement. Alex McLeish, Alan Curbishley and Harry Redknapp are also names in the frame.