Bolton Wanderers are reportedly set to make a decision on their manager’s future as he is out of contract at the end of this month.
The Bolton News revealed that he could follow chief executive Emma Beaugeard out of the door as the upheaval continues after League One relegation.
Well, at 5pm on Friday, it was confirmed that Keith Hill and his assistant David Flitcroft have both parted ways after more than nine months and 29 league games in charge.
? Wanderers confirm Hill and Flitcroft departure.
Read more ?? https://t.co/VslXpkLFJL#BWFC ??
— Bolton Wanderers (@OfficialBWFC) June 12, 2020
The club statement issued on Friday evening: Bolton Wanderers Football Club can confirm that it will not be offering new contracts to Keith Hill and David Flitcroft when their current deals expire at the end of the month.
The Board would like to place on record its gratitude to Keith and David who took over the managerial reins in August 2019 and extends its very best wishes for their future careers.
Chairman of Bolton Wanderers Football Club, Sharon Brittan, said: “On behalf of the board I would like to thank Keith and David for their work since being appointed last year.
“Following on from this week’s announcement by the EFL and confirmation that Bolton Wanderers will be playing in Sky Bet League Two next season, we believe it to be in the best interests of the Club that we have a fresh approach to our management and coaching structure for the next season and beyond.
“I would like to wish Keith and David all the very best for the future.”
The Trotters’ relegation to League Two was confirmed earlier this week and off the back of that, it means changes can start being made to the team as they would hope to bounce straight back up next season.
“Cost reductions” played a part in the chief executive’s departure but if Hill and Flitcroft’s contract is not renewed it would come as part of a restructure of the football department, which has been overseen by the head of football operations, Tobias Phoenix, Bolton News state.
Both Hill and Flitcroft have had no communication with the club since being placed on leave at the beginning of April.
It was back in August 2019 that Hill replaced Phil Parkinson, in which he said it was “his dream job”, before bolstering the squad previously reliant on youth players, signing nine players before the transfer deadline closed in September 2019 and then brought in another 10 in January 2020.
Despite the deduction of 12 points, Bolton ended the league season with five wins, eleven draws and eighteen defeats from 34 games played.
Of the 286 days and 33 games at the helm, Keith Hill picked up a 18.2 win percentage.
The staff and squad knew right from the off how much of a challenge they faced after losing 6-1 at Rotherham in Hill’s first league game, before getting their first point in a 0-0 draw against Oxford United on the 17th of September and hadn’t registered a win until Bristol Rovers away on the 22nd of October.
They then won a further three consecutive matches in all competitions, taking the club to a positive points total for the first time.
Their form dropped away before picking up three draws prior to the season being suspended.
Any hopes of survival was burst by January after being defeated 7-1 at Accrington despite being Southend before Christmas.
There have been calls for a change in management since the time of lockdown, however Hill said Bolton was a “long term project” and felt him getting the boot would be “crass and unfair”.
Fans took to Twitter to voice their reaction after hearing Bolton are set to make a decision on the manager’s future…
It’s a shame it didn’t work out but he wasn’t good enough for the job. The humiliation at Accrington was a clear sign and we’ve limped along ever since. Any idea about a replacement? All the clamour has been for former players so I expect the Obasi/Cid dream team. #bwfc
— Damon Hesford (@damonbwfc) June 12, 2020
Oxford at home was one of the best displays I have seen in recent years, not sure where it went wrong but the longer he went the worse we got, it was back to Parky football by the end, chickson decision 1 of many strange ones
— Rich Marsden (@Rich_VIPCom) June 12, 2020
It seems hugely unfair on HIll and Flit no preseason signed 9 players in a matter of hours serious injuries to key players -12 Pts no club structure etc etc etc. Bunch of kids as part of squad no really quality..transfer embargo !! Wow he wud have needed to be a miracle worker
— Ray Clegg (@rayclegg1) June 12, 2020
Such a shame. The first month under Hill has so much promise. Great football, started to get results. Then, inexplicably, he started playing everyone out of position, played far too strong a team in the Mickey mouse cup, and tactically became a shambles. So strange
— Drac UK (@drac_uk) June 12, 2020
That would be the best news we have had since the takeover
— gavin smith (@walsallwanderer) June 12, 2020
This would be great. Ask Allardyce if he wants one last challenge.
— Dan39 (@Danbwfc76) June 12, 2020
Let’s hope the announcement is soon. We could do with some positive news and for me this is that. Good luck to him going forward but just not at my club.
— Heaton White (@WhiteHeaton) June 12, 2020
has to be nigel clough great working with young player’s let’s face it that is what we will have plus never had budget at burton but did a good job
— Stephenberry (@Stephen03600805) June 12, 2020
The only consistent was the amount of injuries to deal with.. not the best post match interviews .. too much to fix not enough time.. his teams tried playing football.. he got involved and gave it everything.. inherited the biggest car crash in the EFL
— Neil Robinson (@neil_rob74) June 12, 2020
He has to go just not good enough also decision to get rid of some players (chickson) etc at the wrong time just as we was getting better performances cost us. Also his rants just got more delusional every week. Get a Kev Nolan/ Kev Davis dream team going and build
— Steven Lilley (@steven7365) June 12, 2020
And once again we have the “let’s get Allardyce back” posts rising to the surface.
Big Sam gave us almost eight seasons that we will cherish and we will always be grateful.
But I can’t imagine for one second he will ever return as our manager.
Let’s try and be realistic!— Steven Battersby (@SBBWFC) June 12, 2020
Doesn’t suit the club. Just because he’s from Bolton doesn’t mean he’ll do a good job. Never came across well infront of the cameras either, never liked him to be honest
— Ben (@benc1if7) June 12, 2020
You must be logged in to post a comment Login