Gartside believes the time is right to look for a new manager with the club in the relegation zone, and he gave Sammy Lee the call yesterday ... and Wanderers have parted company with with their manager "by mutual consent".
Gartside Taking Bolton Down To Championship!
Bolton are only above bottom club Derby in the Premier League on goal difference and have won just once in nine league games, taking only five points in the process.
Gartside: "This has been a difficult decision for all parties but we have agreed that the time is right.
"Obviously I am concerned at the position we are in. I cannot deny it is good for any club. I am certainly not happy.
"But I will continue to work hard with the players. As long as they keep showing the application and desire for me, then I know we will get out of this situation."
Lee was never the choice of Bolton fans to succeed Sam Allardyce at the end of last season.
Allardyce helped Bolton enjoy six successful seasons in the top flight, but Gartside has had many 'cracks' at his ex-manager in recent weeks, suggesting Bolton were "better without Allardyce".
I'm not quite sure what Gartside sees when he looks at the league table, but I can tell you ... it's going to be a long hard slog to keep the Trotters in the Premiership.
And you have to laugh.