The 2005–06 season was the 128th season in Bolton Wanderers F.C.'s existence and their fifth consecutive year in the top-flight. This article covers the period from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006.
Having finished sixth the previous season, Bolton had qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in their history.
Season summary
In June 2005, Allardyce's assistant Phil Brown, left Bolton to take up the challenge of managing Derby County[1] and he was replaced by coach Sammy Lee.
Off the field, with Bolton looking to get into Europe for the second successive season, Allardyce was being linked with the England manager's job.[2] He was interviewed for the England manager vacancy during the Spring, though the news broke that the FA wanted Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari. In the end it came down to Allardyce or Steve McClaren. Between the middle of March and the beginning of April with rumours surrounding Allardyce in terms of taking the England job, Bolton's form hit an unexpected slump with five successive defeats seeing the side slide to eighth.
Source: Premier League Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored. Notes:
^Since Liverpool had already qualified for the Champions League, their UEFA Cup berth as the FA Cupwinners went to West Ham, who were the FA Cup runners-up.
