Megson appointed manager of Bolton

LONDON, England -- Premier League strugglers Bolton Wanderers appointed Gary Megson as their new manager on Thursday on a two-and-a-half year contract.

Megson is a replacement for Sammy Lee who departed the Reebok last week after a poor start to the season which has left them in bottom place in England's top division.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside said: "Gary has demonstrated he has the right temperament for a battle which the rest of this season is undoubtedly going to be."

Megson will watch his players for the first time this evening when Bolton entertain SC Braga in the UEFA Cup and take control of first team affairs for Sunday's league match against Aston Villa.

His appointment follows a controversial departure from second flight Leicester City after less than two months in charge.

The two clubs have agreed a compensation package, reported to be around $600,000.

Leicister chairman Milan Mandaric had already spurned two approaches from Bolton for the 48-year-old Megson, adding: "I made it abundantly clear Bolton's interest was neither welcome nor invited..."

Efforts by Bolton to woo Birmingham's Steve Bruce and Real Sociedad's Chris Coleman failed and former Newcastle manager Graeme Souness was also interviewed.

Bolton have struggled since the loss of long-serving manager Sam Allardyce in April.

Successor Lee was sacked after falling out with several players with his team garnering just five points from 10 league games.

But their form in the UEA Cup has been better and they have been paired with German giants Bayern Munich in the group stage.

Megson led West Bromwich Albion into the Premier League in 2002 and, following relegation, again in 2004 before being sacked by the club. E-mail to a friend