OVER the last few years Bolton Wanderers has seen various changes in their management, writes Ryan Taylor of Leigh .

When Sam Allardyce or ‘Big Sam’ took over in 1999, the club was in the old Division One, now known as the Championship.

Over the course of eight years he transformed the Whites into a top half Premier League club with ambitions of European football.

He did this with big name signings such as Jay-Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff, and Nicolas Anelka. His tenure by some is referred to as the “glory days” and it’s hard to argue as the club played in Europe for the first time and top 10 finishes in the Premier League where the norm.

Big Sam shockingly left the club in 2007. Sammy Lee was chosen to replace Allardyce and given his first role in management. In his short stay he guided the club into Europe. Lee tried to change Bolton’s style of play, this unfortunately didn’t work and after a few months the club parted ways.

Next there was to be a shock appointment, which left fans feeling underwhelmed. Gary Megson was Leicester manager for only a few weeks before he took over. He was successful in keeping Bolton in the top flight but Megson was never popular with the fans and there was negativity around the Reebok. Subsequently, in late 2009, he was sacked after a disappointing draw to Hull and the club in the relegation zone.

Bolton went to a former player this time and tried to get the fans back on side. Owen Coyle was in charge, arriving from local rivals Burnley.

A good first season and a trip to Wembley was met by a devastating relegation in his second following injuries to key players and the club struggling from their harsh set of fixtures early on.