Sam plots Bolton exit

The 52-year-old, who has transformed the club during his eight-year tenure, has told close friends he wants to take a sabbatical.

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But his availability as a free agent would make him a prime candidate for clubs such as Manchester City and Newcastle United, where changes are expected in the summer.

And if England fail to beat Estonia on June 6, he would be a popular choice to replace Steve McClaren should the FA buckle under pressure to salvage the European Championship From Back Page campaign.

Allardyce had planned to see out the rest of his 10-year deal at Bolton. But despite guiding them to the brink of a UEFA Cup place again, he has endured a tough season off the pitch and believes the time could be right to make his move.

Chairman Phil Gartside would be loath to lose Allardyce. He enjoys a good relationship with him and may convince the Dudley-born former centre half he should stay.

Allardyce had similar thoughts last season but changed his mind.

He was among the front-runners to become England coach a year ago after Luis Felipe Scolari rejected the FA's overtures and was disappointed when McClaren was appointed instead, saying he found it difficult to motivate himself again for the Premiership season.

Allardyce's reputation was questioned by accusations of transfer impropriety in a BBC Panorama programme which sought to implicate him and his then football agent son Craig as being part of a football bung culture.

Allardyce was vindicated by the Lord Stevens Inquiry, but the accusations took their toll.

He told Sportsmail earlier this month: "It was the worst ever. It's a destructive force.

"Someone is trying to destroy what you are and what you've built over the course of your career. But then you deal with guilty until proven innocent.

"I've had to put it behind me and get on with it but it was a hugely difficult time for people who are close to me."

Allardyce, who was on a scouting trip this week, would leave behind a strong infrastructure at Bolton with respected assistant Sammy Lee in prime position to take over.

Lee has made no secret of his desire to become a top-flight manager and had interviews with Charlton earlier in the season.