Sammy Explains Sbragia Absence

Sbragia - Important Role
By Mark Heys
September 23 2007

Bolton Wanderers manager Sammy Lee has moved quickly to explain why First Team Coach Ricky Sbragia has been absent for the Trotters last two matches against Birmingham City and FK Rabotnicki. .

Sbragia has failed to travel with the squad over the last week prompting speculation about his future but Lee says the former Manchester United coach still has a role to play at the club.

At home games Sbragia will be in charge of the pre-match training whilst fellow coach Jimmy Phillips will be called upon for when the club travel to their away games.

"I have got some very good people working with me and for me, We've got this structure now where Jimmy Phillips will travel away to do the warm-ups and Ricky will do it at home." explained Lee when asked about Sbragia's absence 

"We don't want to be overloaded with people when we travel away." he added

It was in October 2005 when Sbragia first came to Bolton in his current role to replace Crystal Palace bound Neil McDonald. Last season he spent the majority of the campaign as the Wanderers spokesperson for the BBC and last summer he was kept in his current role by Lee following the departure of former boss Sam Allardyce to Newcastle United.