Bolton part company with manager

BOLTON, England -- Bolton Wanderers manager Sammy Lee has left the English Premier League club by mutual consent.

Bolton have picked up only five points from their first nine league outings this season as Lee has struggled in his role after succeeding Sam Allardyce, who left for Newcastle in the summer.

General manager Frank McParland has also left the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside told the club's official Web site: "This has been a difficult decision for all parties but we have agreed that the time is right.

"Sammy has played an important role in the club's recent history. We wish Sammy and Frank well for the future.

"Our efforts will now be to look for a replacement manager and to concentrate on the future."

Lee had an impressive career with Liverpool after scoring in a 3-2 win over Leicester in his debut in 1978. He was also on target in his senior England debut in a 3-0 win against Greece in Salonika four years later.

He collected 14 senior caps and won three league titles, two European Cups and four League Cups in his eight years in Liverpool's first team.

He moved on to QPR, Spanish club Osasuna, Southampton and Bolton.

His coaching career began back at Liverpool, as reserve-team chief under former team-mate Graeme Souness.

He was appointed first-team coach by Gerard Houllier and joined Sven-Goran Eriksson's England coaching staff, while helping Liverpool to a UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup treble.

He returned to Bolton as Sam Allardyce's assistant and turned down a full-time post as England Under-21 coach under Steve McClaren.

Bolton became an established Premier League club under the guidance of Allardyce and Lee but when the latter was promoted to the top position in April this year he found it impossible to prevent the team sliding down the table.

Earlier this month Gary Speed was relieved of his coaching duties with Lee saying that he wanted him to focus on his playing role. E-mail to a friend