Sam Allardyce says his shock decision to quit Bolton was one of the hardest of his life.  He is standing down with immediate affect after nearly eight years of success at the Reebok Stadium.

With only three games to go, the timing of his departure from the manager's chair is extraordinary.

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside confirmed the departure in a statement amid rumours Allardyce could be appointed Manchester City manager in the summer.

While Allardyce refused to go into detail about what prompted his decision to go now, he explained: "It was mutually agreed that I step down now rather than at the end of the season.

"That will 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 I have had to make in my life.

"After careful consideration and dialogue with my close family and senior officials within the football club, I will be resigning as manager with immediate effect."

Allardyce has steered Bolton to within touching distance of Uefa Cup qualification despite a troubled campaign.

A BBC Panorama investigation linked him to a bungs scandal, though Allardyce refuted the accusations made in the programme and threatened the programme-makers with legal action.

He was also left disappointed after missing out on succeeding Sven-Goran Eriksson as England coach with Steve McClaren being given the nod instead.

Allardyce's last act as Bolton boss was to guide an understrength side to a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

He insists he leaves the club in very good hands.

Allardyce said: "It is the right moment to step down from my duties and welcome a new exciting era for the club under different leadership.

"The club is in a great position to continue its upward trajectory with a talented internationally recognised squad, supported by an excellent Academy programme working under the guidance of a highly-skilled football management team.

"I believe the foundation of the next phase for the next development stage of the club is well and truly in place.

"It is with this knowledge that I feel confident that I am moving on with my life content with a legacy that I have tried to create for this special club.

"I wish the owner, chairman, staff, players and above all the fans every success in the future."

Allardyce arrived at Bolton in 1999 after helping Notts County win the old Third Division title.

Promotion was achieved in 2001 when Preston were defeated in the play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Since then Bolton have continued to punch above their weight thanks to Allardyce's ability in the transfer market.

The profile of the club was raised the day he signed former World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff.  Other big names followed like Jay-Jay Okocha, Fernando Hierro, Ivan Campo and Gary Speed.

League Cup runners-up in 2004, they qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time a year later and another campaign beckons.

Allardyce's legacy also includes radically improving Bolton's training base at Euxton and increasing the strength of the backroom staff.

Players believe the level of care afforded to them is second to none thanks to his appliance of sports science.

Allardyce and chairman Phil Gartside have formed a solid bond that has taken the club forward.

But there is no indication yet from Bolton as to who might succeed Allardyce. Sammy Lee is currently assistant manager.

Gartside said: "I have reluctantly accepted the resignation of manager Sam Allardyce after eight years of unprecedented success at the club.

"I would like to thank Sam for his enormous contribution to Bolton Wanderers, both as a player, but more importantly as a manager.

"Since joining the club as manager in October 1999, he has helped lead a fantastic transformation of this famous Lancashire club.

"He has helped design and build an infrastructure that will enable the club to continue the progress that we have undoubtedly made in his period of office.

"He has given his reasons for wanting to leave the club at this time, which are private and we respect that privacy.
 
"I would like to wish Sam and his family every success in the future."  PA