Allardyce: Decision to leave Bolton 'hardest of my life'

Sam Allardyce said today that his shock decision to quit Bolton was one of the hardest of his life.

He is standing down with immediate affect after nearly eight years of success at the Reebok Stadium.

With only three games to go, the timing of his departure from the manager's chair is extraordinary.

While Allardyce refused to go into detail about what prompted his decision to go now, he explained: "It was mutually agreed that I step down now rather than at the end of the season.

"That will give my successor the ideal opportunity to experience the preparation and build up of matchday in readiness of next season.

"The decision to leave the football club, which has been my spiritual home for over 18 years, as both player and manager, is one of the hardest I have had to make in my life.

"After careful consideration and dialogue with my close family and senior officials within the football club, I will be resigning as manager with immediate effect."

Allardyce's last act as Bolton boss was to guide an understrength side to a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

He insists he leaves the club in very good hands.

Allardyce said: "It is the right moment to step down from my duties and welcome a new exciting era for the club under different leadership.

"The club is in a great position to continue its upward trajectory with a talented internationally recognised squad, supported by an excellent academy programme working under the guidance of a highly-skilled football management team.

"I believe the foundation of the next phase for the next development stage of the club is well and truly in place.

"It is with this knowledge that I feel confident that I am moving on with my life content with a legacy that I have tried to create for this special club.

"I wish the owner, chairman, staff, players and above all the fans every success in the future."

Allardyce arrived at Bolton in 1999 after helping Notts County win the old Third Division title.

Promotion was achieved in 2001 when Preston were defeated in the play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Since then Bolton have continued to punch above their weight thanks to Allardyce's ability in the transfer market.

The profile of the club was raised the day he signed former World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff.

Other big names followed like Jay-Jay Okocha, Fernando Hierro, Ivan Campo and Gary Speed.

League Cup runners-up in 2004, they qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time a year later and another campaign beckons.

Allardyce's legacy also includes radically improving Bolton's training base at Euxton and increasing the strength of the backroom staff.

Players believe the level of care afforded to them is second to none thanks to his appliance of sports science.

Allardyce and chairman Phil Gartside have formed a solid bond that has taken the club forward.

But there is no indication yet from Bolton as to who might succeed Allardyce. Sammy Lee is currently assistant manager.