Gary Megson

Megson built his reputation as a manager with West Bromwich Albion, before getting his chance to shine again in the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers in October 2007.

Just six weeks into his tenure at Leicester, Megson chose to join Phil Gartside at Bolton. He was an unpopular choice, who won the fans over to such an extent that his nickname became the 'Ginger Mourinho', but kept the club afloat.

Megson began his playing career at Plymouth in 1977, before moving on to Everton and then Sheffield Wednesday, where, apart from an eight-month spell at Nottingham Forest, he stayed until 1989.

A £250,000 move to Manchester City came along in 1989 and three seasons at Maine Road were followed by a move to then-Premiership high flyers Norwich, who Megson helped into third place in 1993. He also played in their famous victory over Bayern Munich in the European Cup, undoubtedly the highlight of his playing career.

It was at Carrow Road that Megson was offered his first break into management. After the departure of Mike Walker to Everton, Megson became assistant to new boss John Deehan.

And after a spell as caretaker boss, he followed Martin O'Neill's short time in charge of the Canaries, in returning to East Anglia (after spells as a player with Shrewsbury Town and Lincoln City) to manage Norwich, however he made way for Walker's return in 1996.

Megson's stint in charge at Carrow Road was an unmitigated disaster. He won only five of the 27 games he presided over and the fans was clambering for his removal. He moved onto Blackpool for a year, but again left with the feeling of failure before returning to the North West to manage Stockport.

Megson got the Edgeley Park side to eighth place in the First Division in 1998, but after a slip down the table the following season, Megson was on his way out, this time forging a move to Stoke City. However disagreements with the board meant his time at the Britannia stadium was short-lived, and he departed four months into the job.

Stoke's loss was West Brom's gain, as they snapped up Megson, and he repaid them by getting the Baggies into the play-offs in his first year in charge. They lost out to eventual winners Bolton in the semi-finals of the 2001 play-offs, but Megson guided the Baggies to a dramatic promotion the next season, as they edged out local rivals Wolves in an extraordinary late season push.

However, the following season, West Brom were relegated despite a brave fight, their fate being confirmed despite a 2-1 victory over fellow relegated club Sunderland. The club's lack of financial muscle had cost them dear, as Megson warned early in the season.

Megson stayed on, determined to make amends for not staying in the top flight. His side played excellent football throughout the 2003-04 season, and led by the talented Jason Koumas and co., an immediate return to the top flight was secured, finishing second behind Norwich.

Having got the Baggies up again, Megson was determined to prevent the club being labeled as a 'yo-yo' side. But off-field battles continued at the Hawthorns, with Megson this time at loggerheads with Thompson's replacement, Jeremy Peace. It was said that the pair had stopped speaking to each other.

Despite being allowed to spend almost £10m in the summer, Megson revealed he would not be seeking an extension to his contract which was due to expire at the end of the 2004-05 campaign. Within just a few hours of making the announcement in October, West Brom relieved him of his duties immediately - taking his quotes as a statement of intent of resignation.

Although Megson will also be held in high regard for his achievements with the Baggies, many believe he had taken the club as far as he could. After finally agreeing a settlement over his departure from the Hawthorns he was free to find a new club. And in January 2005 he accepted the job of reviving Championship outfit Nottingham Forest.

However, the task of keeping the former European champions in the second tier of English football proved too tough. Megson resigned in February 2006 with Forest nearer to the relegation zone than the play-offs.

Megson soon emerged as a candidate for the vacant Leicester job after a brief stint as a coach with Stoke City, with new chairman Milan Mandaric keen to add his 'wealth of experience' to the Foxes' armoury.

Winning three of his nine games in charge, Megson was soon courted by Bolton after they decided to part company with Sammy Lee. Mandaric would not hear of it and turned down two offers to speak to the boss, before finally being forced to give them permission.

Just six weeks into the Leicester role, Megson chose to join Bolton and was unveiled on the 25th October 2007. In his first season he kept the club afloat, and then used the summer to bring in £15m of talent in Johan Elmander and Fabrice Muamba.

He kept the club up again the following season, finishing 13th, however, the 'Ginger Mourinho' has a long way to go if he is to live up to the expectations set by Sam Allardyce's success at the club.