Phil Parkinson named August Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month

Whites boss wins award after seeing Wanderers enjoy unbeaten start to the campaign

Bolton Wanderers manager Phil Parkinson has been named the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month for August.

Moving across the Pennines, the 48-year-old didn’t skip a beat as he led the Whites to the top of League One with 13 points from five unbeaten games. 

Overseeing Bolton's best start to a campaign for 82 years, Parkinson guided the Trotters to four successive victories from their opening four games, including their first away win for over year, before drawing away at Charlton Athletic in their final outing of the month.

Speaking after receiving the award, Parkinson said: “I’m of course very pleased to win the award, but it has been very much a team effort. The lads on the pitch deserve a lot of credit but also the team behind the scenes in terms of the coaching staff, the medical department and at board level as well.
 
“It has been a big effort to get us to this point – it is only the early stages of the season, but we are pleased to get this award.
 
“It couldn’t have gone much better for us in terms of the points total. Of course, you’re always greedy for more, but I’ve been so pleased with the application of everybody and the determination of all at the football club to get things going again.
 
“I said that during my first few weeks here and it’s been backed up by the start we’ve had. Everybody now has to roll their sleeves up though and get ready for another big push during the next month.”

George Burley, who chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel, said: “Phil has made a great impression in his new appointment at Bolton Wanderers as they have accumulated 13 points from five unbeaten games. 

“It is never easy to lift a team’s confidence after relegation but Phil has managed to do just that.”

Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “Parkinson was one of the longest serving managers in the country when Bolton approached Bradford City for his services and managed to wrestle him away.
 
“In his few months at the helm, he has shown exactly why he was rated so highly and already looks to have vindicated the owners’ decision in bringing him in.”

Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “Life for Bolton in League One started well with the Trotters managing to win four games and drawing the other, with a 1-0 victory on the opening day against title rivals Sheffield United. 

“Only a last minute equaliser against Charlton denied Phil Parkinson’s men a perfect record in August. And with new attacking signings like Keshi Anderson they are sure to be there or thereabouts come May. They are now 7/4 from 4/1 to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.”

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