BOLTON - Bolton have parted company with manager Sammy Lee "by mutual consent" after Wanderers' disappointing start to the season.
The Lancashire club have taken just five points from their first nine Barclays Premier League games, with only goal difference keeping them off the bottom of the table.
Lee succeeded Sam Allardyce as manager at the Reebok Stadium towards the end of last season, with the latter later joining Newcastle.
General manager Frank McParland has also left the club.
Chairman Phil Gartside told the club's official website, www.bwfc.co.uk: "This has been a difficult decision for all parties but we have agreed that the time is right.
"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."
Under Lee Bolton have progressed to the group stages of the UEFA Cup but their league form has been a major cause for concern.
Former boss Allardyce returned to the club on the opening day of the season as Newcastle cruised to a 3-1 victory.
Defeats at Fulham and Portsmouth followed before a 3-0 home victory over Reading briefly eased the pressure.
However, further losses to Everton, Birmingham and Chelsea, and a home draw with bottom side Derby left Bolton in the relegation zone and Lee's cause was not helped by off-field issues.
Last week veteran midfielder Gary Speed was relieved of his coaching duties at the club having been left out of the squad to face Chelsea.
The Welshman, 38, was handed the role by Lee shortly after he took over but Lee said: "I would like him to focus on his game at this moment in time. I don't want anything to distract him."
