Over to you Sammy (From The Bolton News)

Over to you Sammy

7:42am Monday 30th April 2007 in

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SAMMY Lee's name is in the frame to be the next Bolton Wanderers manager in the wake of Sam Allardyce's bombshell decision to quit the Reebok.

The former Liverpool and England midfielder, Allardyce's assistant for the last two seasons, is poised to fulfil his long-held ambition to manage a top-flight club.

No announcement has yet been made but Wanderers have moved swiftly following the confirmation yesterday that Allardyce is standing down with immediate effect. And I understand they are looking no further than the current assistant manager.

A press conference is scheduled to be held at the Reebok today, at which Lee is expected to be unveiled as Wanderers' 17th post-war manager.

And the passionate 48-year-old, who last summer was interviewed for the manager's job at Charlton Athletic followng Alan Curbishley's departure, believes he is ready for top-flight management.

Lee insisted at the weekend that he was staying put and re-iterated his ambition to manage a club in his own right.

"Everybody knows what my aspirations are," he said, referring back to the Charlton job interview.

"I've really enjoyed my time here at Bolton Wanderers Football Club. Sam brought me in and it's a great club to be at, it's a great club to work for, a great bunch of players and great support."

News broke on Saturday morning that Allardyce, the man who guided Wanderers to unprecedented success, had told his bosses of his intention to step down at the end of the season.

The rumours were confirmed officially for the first time at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon in the form of two official statements, one issued by the club on Allardyce's behalf, revealing that the planned departure date had been brought forward.

When Lee stood in for the manager at the post-match press conference following Saturday's 2-2 draw at Chelsea, he said he could shed little light on the affair but said, whatever decision Allardyce had made must be respected.

"He's massive," Lee said in tribute to the man who has guided Wanderers from the lower reaches of the old First Division to the top five of the Premiership and qualified for Europe along the way.

"No one wants to see him go but you have to respect the manager.

"It's his decision and nobody else's. He knows exactly what he's engendered here, he knows exactly what he's formulated and what he's developed here, so you just have to respect whatever decision he makes.

"He is part of a set up with the board, the owner, the chairman and all the players and the fans.

"This is a family club and I just sometimes wish they got the credit they deserve."