Boss Wants More Backing

Last updated : 20 September 2004 By Mark Heys

Bolton Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce feels that he may have to look elsewhere if the club are not able to match his long term ambitions.

Last month saw the Trotters chief publicly head-hunted by Premiership rivals Newcastle United only for Allardyce himself to reject any potential move in favour of finishing his work at the Reebok Stadium.

The 49-year old admits that he will need to be given the financial backing of the clubs board of directors in the future if he is to make the Wanderers achieve what he feels they can achieve - the main goal now being a cup win and European qualification.

"I suppose I cannot achieve my ambitions here because if you want to be the best, you have to have a bigger club than Bolton in the end, But we're breaking some ground at the club that's not been broken for many years.

"From my point of view, the club can go farther than it has been for years and perhaps this squad can take it there. Then, who knows after that? Perhaps we can get to a cup final and win one, which we have not done since 1958, and perhaps we can try to get into Europe.

"The club has never been there before and for me that would be one hell of an achievement as a manager. But in the end, that becomes very difficult to continue with no real money to spend. Eventually, if the directors have as much ambition as I have, they will go and find some money and we will get better that way." he said

Bolton just missed out on a UEFA Cup slot last season due to their Carling Cup Final defeat to Middlesbrough and were only a handful of points short of gaining a European place via the Premiership route.