Asked whether his pet caveman could end up as the next manager at the boo-camp Gartside said: "I don't think Manchester City is a big enough job for Sam and I would not allow them to talk to him. It is well known they are in debt and not in the market to buy players. They also have a lot of players there and a big wage bill."
"I have said before that I would not stand in Sam's way if a big enough job came along for him. If Manchester United wanted him I'd take him there myself because that would be seen as a step up. But I don't think any other club in this area is on the same footing as Bolton after the work we have done in the last few years."