Sammy Had A Hard Act To Follow - Macca

Former Bolton man McAteer
By Mark Heys
October 17 2007

Former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Jason McAteer says that departing Trotters boss Sammy Lee was always going to find it difficult to follow on from the success which the club had built up during Sam Allardyce's previous regime.

McAteer, who retired from the game earlier this year, knows Lee well having been a player alongside him at Burnden Park and later a player under him during a three year stint at Liverpool.

Speaking to Sky Sports News following the dismissal of Lee, McAteer beleives that his former collegue was a victim of the success which Bolton achieved in the Allardyce era. 

"Sammy has obviously been a victim of the success Bolton have had under Sam Allardyce over the past couple of seasons, it was always a tough, tough job to follow but Sammy obviously thought he was capable and went into it with his eyes wide open.

The 36-year old is surprised that Lee wasn't given more time in which to make his mark in the Reebok Stadium hotseat as he feels his fellow Merseysider could have turned the situation around.

"A few results haven't gone his way and they are near the bottom of the table, but Sammy is that kind of infectious character that can change things round and get the team up the table, but the board obviously felt he wasn't the right man to turn it around.

"Bolton, no disrespect, are not a Chelsea, or a club from London or a Man United winning titles left right and centre, or a Liverpool, so it is hard for them to attract big, big players. Sam Allardyce brought a couple of names we hadn't heard of and they fitted in well, Sammy brought in a couple that you could question - but everyone needs time to settle.

"Sammy took over and wanted to put down his marker on the team. He didn't just want to step into Sam Allardyce's shoes, he wanted to get the team playing the he wanted and all credit to him. It just didn't work out though."

McAteer, a Bolton crowd favourite of the early to mid-1990's, beleives that former Wigan Athletic manager Paul Jewell should be installed as Lee's replacement in the near future.

"Paul Jewell would be one of the frontrunners; he's been resting and has decided to get back into it, I know Peter Reid will be looking at it and would be a fans' favourite and Peter Taylor has just left Crystal Palace. There's a few big names out there and it's a big, big job. It would be nice to see Paul Jewell get it though. He's one of the new breed coming through and he's done wonders at Wigan."

Bookmakers have made Jewell and ex-Fulham cheif Chris Coleman early contenders for the post whilst names such as Watford's Aidy Boothroyd and Coventry's Iain Dowie have also been touted.