Allardyce handed in notice two weeks ago

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The club made the announcement on their official website that Allardyce would stand down after eight years in charge, in which he oversaw what Gartside described as an "unprecedented" period of success. But the news was not a shock for the Bolton chief, who revealed Allardyce's decision had come as a result of "a long conversation" between the pair.

"I've had chance to get used to it because I've known for two weeks. It's a credit to Sam and other people that have known to keep it to ourselves," Gartside told Sky Sports News.

"You start to discuss plans for next season and it became part of the discussion. It became clear that he wanted some time with his family and to reflect on his life.

"It's a complicated decision. Bolton has been his spiritual home for 18 years and it was a difficult decision. We've enjoyed a fantastic relationship and it's a very difficult time for us both."

Gartside refused to accept it was hard to imagine Bolton without Allardyce at the helm, adding: "The club has existed for 125 years and for a period of eight years Sam has been manager and I have been chairman, it's a fraction of its lifetime. We've been part of the club's history but the club moves on.

"You can't take away from what has been achieved in Sam's reign of office and it's unprecedented in the club's history. But you've got to be positive about what's happened and positive about the future."