PHIL Gartside is confident that his special relationship with Sam Allardyce will prevent him being tempted to leave the Reebok.

Despite repeated speculation that the Wanderers boss could be head-hunted this summer - Liverpool and Manchester City are frequently mentioned - the chairman sees no cause for concern.

"People keep ringing me with speculation but I don't get excited about it," he said. "I just don't think there's another club in the country, outside the top four, that Sam would go to.

"Sam knows that if - and I hate to say Manchester United - but if Manchester United or Arsenal or Chelsea came in with an offer, I wouldn't stand in his way.

"And if he came and told me he'd been offered the England job, I'd be the first to congratulate him and ask him for tickets for the World Cup. I'd consider it a great accolade for Bolton Wanderers as well as for Sam.

"But at the moment I just can't see that happening. I just don't have any fears of Sam going, and, such is our relationship, that if he got offered a job tomorrow, I'm confident that he would come to me first and discuss it."