Bolton appoint Lee as Allardyce's replacement

Bolton Wanderers' new manager Sammy Lee answers questions during a press conference at the Reebok Stadium, 30 April 2007. Lee -- a former Liverpool and England coach -- has been confirmed as the full-time manager of Premiership side Bolton following Sam Allardyce's shock resignation.

Former Liverpool and England coach Sammy Lee has been confirmed as the full-time manager of Premiership side Bolton following Sam Allardyce's shock resignation.

Allardyce resigned as Wanderers boss on Sunday after seven-and-a-half years at the helm amid rumours he could be appointed Manchester City boss in the summer.

Lee had been working as an assistant to Allardyce for the past two seasons, but brings plenty of experience to the job having worked as a backroom coach to both Liverpool and England.

It is the 48-year-old Lee's first role in management and comes at a time when Bolton, who sit fifth in the Premiership, are bidding for a place in Europe next season.

"I'm delighted about the prospect of being Bolton manager," said Lee. "It is a great legacy that Sam has left and it is my job now to carry that forward."

He added: "It took me one second to decide to accept the job after it was offered to me.

"I am very proud to be sat here in front of everybody as the new manager of Bolton Wanderers."

Allardyce was coy about his future on Sunday, saying that he would be going immediately to Spain for a holiday.

Allardyce said in a statement: "It was mutually decided that I step down now rather than at the end of the season, to 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 decisions I have had to make in my life."

Bolton manager Sam Allardyce answers questions during a press conference in 2006. Former Liverpool and England coach Sammy Lee has been confirmed as Bolton's full-time manager following Allardyce's shock resignation.

The Bolton boardroom admitted that given their modest resources the club had "over-achieved" with Allardyce at the helm.

And Lee knows he will now be under pressure to carry on Allardyce's good work.

"The education I've gained from working with Sam Allardyce has been immense. I have to continue what Sam has started, that's first and foremost, and then re-evaluate it after that," he added.

"It certainly is a healthy position that Bolton are in, we're now contesting for a place in Europe."