Tuesday 7 October 2014 12:17, UK
Bolton chairman Phil Gartside believes the flak departed manager Dougie Freedman took from supporters was "unfair", but insists a change at the helm was needed after their disappointing start to the season.
Freedman left Wanderers by mutual consent last Friday, two days after the 4-0 drubbing at Fulham left them with just one win in their first 10 Sky Bet Championship games.
Supporter unrest was growing at the Macron Stadium and ahead of a potentially poisonous atmosphere for the home game with Bournemouth on the Saturday, Freedman and Bolton parted ways last week.
The Whites are rooted to the bottom of the table heading into the international break and Gartside insists he had to take action to get the club away from the relegation zone.
"Obviously we are in a results-driven business and we had to look at it in the short term and see whether it can be changed," Gartside told The Bolton News.
"We need some points on the board that will help us avoid being in a relegation scrap.
"It fell on me to make that decision. I had a long conversation with him on Friday morning. I felt he was being treated unfairly by fans, and I don't think anyone should be subjected to that in any shape or form.
"There are not many businesses or professions where you would get that.
"I spoke with Dougie and felt that for his benefit and for the benefit of the football club, we had to change something. But it was a mutual decision."
