Bolton Wanderers are preparing to appoint a new sporting director following the departure of Chris Markham, who has left the club after four years in the role.
The club is expected to confirm Markham’s exit this week as they start the process of bringing in a new head of recruitment and analysis. The 38-year-old had played a key role in overseeing Bolton’s transfer strategy and was involved in selecting current head coach Steven Schumacher.
Markham’s Departure and the Next Steps
Markham joined Wanderers in January 2021, having previously worked at the Football Association and Huddersfield Town. Initially appointed as technical performance director, he later took on the role of sporting director, helping to shape the club’s approach to player scouting and recruitment.
Under his guidance, the club formed links with external data company Ludonautics, using advanced analytics to support their transfer decisions. While Bolton had success in past windows, recent recruitment has faced criticism, with fans expressing frustration over the team’s inconsistency and failure to mount a serious automatic promotion challenge this season.
Bolton are expected to move swiftly to secure a replacement, aiming to have a new figure in place before the end of the season. The club remains committed to strengthening its recruitment and analysis department, with Schumacher’s position as head coach unaffected by the changes.
Potential Candidates
One name linked with the role is Neil Dewsnip, who previously worked alongside Schumacher at Plymouth Argyle. Dewsnip has extensive experience in youth development and coaching, with strong connections in football recruitment.
His late father, Jimmy Dewsnip, was also involved with Bolton’s youth academy in the 1990s, helping to bring through several talented players from Merseyside.
On the Pitch: Bolton Bounce Back Against Shrewsbury
Despite the off-field uncertainty, Bolton Wanderers secured an important 3-2 victory away to Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, coming from behind to claim all three points.
Schumacher’s side struggled in the first half but turned the game around after the break, with Eoin Toal scoring on his birthday and John McAtee netting twice. The win keeps Bolton level on points with Leyton Orient and Charlton Athletic, who occupy the final play-off places.
Writer’s View
Markham’s departure signals a shift behind the scenes at Bolton, and with the club still pushing for a play-off place, stability will be crucial. The search for a new sporting director comes at a pivotal time, and a well-planned summer recruitment strategy could be the difference between another season in League One or a return to the Championship.
