By Brian Bariyo Tumuramye
Bolton Wanderers manager Phil Parkinson and assistant Steve Parkin have resigned from their positions with the beleaguered League One club.
Wanderers have been in administration since May and said in a statement on Thursday they had accepted the resignations “with great reluctance”. Tuesday’s fixture against Doncaster Rovers was postponed amid welfare concerns for younger players.
Academy boss Jimmy Phillips has been put in interim charge of the team, which was deducted 12 points at the start of 2019-20 and fielded just three senior outfield players in their last match.
“During what has been one of the most challenging periods in the club’s existence, both Phil and Steve conducted themselves with the utmost professionalism and dignity throughout,” said a club spokesperson.
“They leave the University of Bolton Stadium with their heads held high.
“Former Bradford City boss Parkinson’s final game in charge was Saturday’s 5-0 defeat by Tranmere Rovers, after which he claimed the club had contacted the English Football League over welfare concerns.
Wanderers have fielded teams largely made up of youth players so far this season, including their youngest-ever side in their draw against Coventry City, after Parkinson and Parkin quit on Wednesday, Bolton said in a one-line statement: “The club has received the notice of resignation from Phil Parkinson and Steve Parkin and the matter is being considered.”
But 14 hours later the League One side confirmed the pair had left, with former Trotters defender Phillips taking first-team training.
Parkinson, 51, joined the club in the summer of 2016 – succeeding Neil Lennon – and oversaw promotion from League One. In his first season Bolton stayed in the Championship on the final day in his second campaign, but were relegated last term amid financial struggles.
It was a season overshadowed by staff payment issues, postponed matches and players going on strike, before the club entered administration in May, leading to a 12-point deduction for 2019-20.
Over the summer, a protracted takeover by Football Ventures dragged out into the start of the current season, with the club having only seven senior players registered for the new campaign.
