Bolton Wanderers have parted company with their manager, Sammy Lee, after a dismal run of results which has seen them slump to second bottom of the Premier League.

Lee, who had been assistant manager, took over the Lancashire side in April, a day after Sam Allardyce announced that he was leaving the club.

His appointment had been intended to ensure stability and continuity at the club, but in addition to results continuing to slide on the pitch, there was also friction with senior players off it.

Clashes with Kevin Nolan, the captain, and Ivan Campo, who were both unhappy to have been left out of the side, came in addition to differences with some of the coaching staff, a number of whom also left the club.

Signs that all was not well came at the end of last week when player-coach Gary Speed announced that he only wanted to continue as a player and relinquished his coaching duties.

Lee paid the price today, as he and Frank McParland, his assistant, parted company “by mutual consent”, according to the club, with Speed and Paul Jewell already in the frame to take over as his replacement.

"This has been a difficult decision for all parties but we have agreed that time is right,” Phil Gartside, the Bolton Wanderers chairman, said.

"Sammy has played an important role in the club's recent history. We wish Sammy and Frank well for the future.

"Our efforts will now be to look for a replacement manager and to concentrate on the future."

Bolton have won just one of their nine Premier League games to date and are above bottom club Derby County on goal difference. They face a daunting trip to Arsenal, the unbeaten leaders, on Saturday.