BOLTON WANDERERS FOOTBALL CLUB Chairman Phil Gartside has issued the following statement in respect of the Club's current situation in its search for a new manager.

"The process to find the next manager is on-going. We have identified our key targets and we have had interest from other people in the game. We hope to be in a position to conclude the process as soon as possible, but we will take our time to make sure we make the right appointment to take us forward.

"The right candidate for the job is someone who has strong management skills as well as football experience.

"It is a complex job to find the ideal candidate to take the Club forward in the long-term. It is a process we are working tirelessly to resolve. The range of skills required for the right successor to take us forward makes the appointment a difficult task.

"We are well aware that we are in a difficult position in the league at present. However, we believe we have a talented squad of players, who can help us achieve our immediate objective of being a successful Premier League side. We all believe that the squad possesses the right blend of experience and skill to get us through our current situation.

"As reported today, Graeme Souness was a candidate on our target list and he has now decided to remove himself from the interview process. Having interviewed him last week, I know he would have been an exceptional candidate for the role. However, I respect Graeme's decision to pull out of the process and I wish him well for the future.

"At no time in the process have we discussed our business in the public domain. We feel that this is a confidential matter that should be dealt with privately at all times. It is disappointing that our dealings have been played out in the full glare of the media.

"For the record, Mark Curtis is assisting the club in the process of finding the suitable candidate for the job. He is not representing any of the people on our target list."