Lee Will Do Well At Wanderers - Hansen

By Mark Heys
April 30 2007

Former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen beleives that his one time team mate Sammy Lee has what it takes to be a success as manager of Bolton Wanderers.

Hansen, now a pundit for BBC Television and a regular face on Match of the Day, played alongside Lee during their days together at Anfield and he sees no reason why the 48-year old cannot take over the mantle from Sam Allardyce who resigned as Wanderers manager at the weekend after nearly eight years in charge.

"I've known Sammy for a long time and think he will make a really good manager, He's got a great football brain and can be very single minded. He has had a lot of experience under different coaches, men like Gerard Houllier, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Sam Allardyce, and it's time for him to move up into management." said the Scotsman to BBC Sport

"Sammy has got a vast knowledge of football, is good with people and, like I say, he can be very single-minded. It all augurs well for Bolton

Sven Goran Eriksson's right hand man Tord Grip has also offered words of support for Lee following their time together as part of the England national set up between 2001 and 2006.

"I think he can make the step up and be a very good manager, He was certainly a very good coach and Sven and I loved him. He was very lively on the training pitch, taking all the warm-ups and a lot of the training sessions.

"The players liked him and I know his approach at Bolton is very hi-tech, using computer programmes to analyse players' performance and taking a scientific approach to their training and preparation. He is also ambitious and determined."

Lee was appointed as Bolton's 17th post war manager today and he will take to the dugout for the crucial Premiership match against West Ham United away at Upton Park this coming Saturday afternoon.