First Team Duo To Coach Reserves

Last updated : 19 January 2005 By Mark Heys
Gary Speed and Kevin Nolan will take charge of the Bolton Wanderers reserve team for the fixture against Manchester United on Thursday evening.

The first team duo have been given coaching responsibilities for the game at Altricham's Moss Lane ground due to the fact that regular coach Neil McDonald will be otherwise engaged at another venue.

Experienced midfielder Speed has previously stated a desire to go into coaching and management having been severely headhunted by the Welsh Football Association earlier on this season.

Wanderers Assistant manager Phil Brown beleives that this experience will help the former Leeds United and Everton star to take the first steps onto the coaching ladder.

"The staff are on an away day and we didn't want to postpone the match. It sprung to my mind that Gary Speed wants to become a manager when he ends his playing career, He was delighted with the opportunity and Kevin will be there as an extra pair of hands." he told the bwfc official site

Brown has confirmed that the team will be pre-selected by both himself and Neil McDonald prior to the game, but has confirmed that the two players in charge for the eveing will have the chance to use their own tactics during the game which is likely to include a number of senior professionals on either side.

"Neil McDonald and myself will pick the team, which will include one or two senior professionals, but Gary and Kevin will be in charge of how they play and will be given the opportunity to make changes during the game as they see fit. It will be a great learning curve for the lads and I cannot emphasise enough the importance of getting coaching experience."