Souness for Bolton?

Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside has drawn up a shortlist of managerial candidates to succeed the hapless Sammy Lee, including Steve Bruce, Gary Megson and Chris Coleman. The Trotters job was once a highly coveted post in England, made so by the spirited Sam Allardyce however, Gartside has struggled to bring in a successor quickly. And now a surprise leader has emerged for the role – Graeme Souness!

The Scottish aggressor, known mostly for a fiery attitude and tendency to fall out with high profile players has this week had meetings with the club. Souness has been out of management since his sacking from Newcastle Utd and not shown a desire himself, or been considered desirable, for a return to football in the intervening period. There may be sound reasoning behind Gartside’s unexpected new first choice though.

Following blocks from Real Sociedad for Chris Coleman, from Leicester City for Gary Megson and a personal rejection to the job from the sun-soaked Paul Jewell in Dubai, Souness’ potential appointment makes economical sense, as he is not under contract, requiring compensation. With a fearsome reputation, preference for dogged tenacity over stylish play and an infamous intolerance for lack of player discipline, Gartisde has a manager much in the mould of ex-boss Allardyce. With rumours of the player power struggles that ended Lee's reign, Souness would be an unstoppable force in dictating to the players exactly what role they should be inhabiting at the club - those unwilling to conform would likely pay the price and be cast aside. Souness is not credited with being the greatest tactician but he gets players fighting for the cause, engenders belief and his character is such that he visibly cannot accept defeat. These qualities have become associated with Bolton in recent years but seemed to be fading this season along with the squad’s lack of belief in Sammy Lee.

It might not be the most popular choice of manager and it represents a bit of gamble on the chairman’s behalf. Souness has proved in the past that he takes no reputation into account if he feels someone steps out of line and Phil Gartside would rather keep the influential senior players that fell out with Lee (Speed, Nolan and Campo) at the club. These three in particular are held in high regard by the rest of the squad and viewed as role models by the youngsters. To be ruthless with them could create a heavier divide, although if change is to happen and the club move forward to a new chapter then perhaps it should be done – short term pain but long term gain.

In any case an appointment is yet to be made and with Steve Bruce’s future in the balance at Birmingham City amid takeover speculation, a new favourite might emerge as easily as Souness has done. Bolton, who lie 20th in the table, will want the situation to be resolved quickly though.