Sport

Dougie Freedman named April’s top boss as Bolton Wanderers focus on Premier League promotion

By John McDougall

Bolton Wanderers manager Dougie Freedman has been rewarded for the Trotters’ end-of-season form after being voted April’s Championship manager of the month.

The Whites narrowly missed out on the play-offs on goal difference, but Bolton went through April with four wins, a draw and only one loss.    

Ex-Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley – a member on the Football League’s panel that decide the award – feels the Glaswegian can go one better with the Trotters next season. 

“It was a great month for Dougie Freedman which resulted in an end-of-season surge for his side, who only just missed out on a play-off place,” he told the Football League website.

“I am sure Bolton will be in contention again next season in what will be his first full season in charge.”

Freedman took the Whites from 20th in the Championship table in February as Bolton looked to make a Premier League return at the first attempt.

The Trotters ended the season with the second best home record in the division behind champions Cardiff City, winning eight successive games at the Reebok Stadium.

Freedman meanwhile has already begun boosting his squad by signing 19-year-old Millwall forward Conor Wilkinson and 17-year-old Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Hayden White.

Compensation still needs to be paid to the respective clubs but both players were understood to have garnered Premier League attention before being snapped up by Bolton.  

The club have also announced July pre-season fixtures away to Rotherham United, Shrewsbury Town and Carlisle United as Freedman prepares for his first full season in charge.

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