Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWhile Youri Djorkaeff would only spend two years at Bolton Wanderers, he counts his spell in Lancashire as one of the most memorable of his illustrious career.The French World Cup winner was an integral part of the Sam Allardyce side that defied expectations and bucked stereotypes to be one of the Premier Leagues most entertaining sides of that era.But as the 58-year-old reflects on his playing career two decades on, he still harbours one major regret from his time with the Trotters.Djorkaeff on his Bolton spellDjorkaeff arrived at Bolton in February 2002, joining from German side Kaiserslautern, with his home debut sticking in his mind.Maybe my first home game against Blackburn, Djorkaeff tells FourFourTwo when asked to name his most memorable game at the club. By half-time I didnt know how my legs or my head were still holding up. Madness! You may like I have no regrets about turning down Liverpool and Manchester United. I needed that Bolton experience in my life Youri Djorkaeff on his 2002 Bolton move Sam Allardyce was the best manager Bolton could have had at that time. We were tough on the pitch and had a bit of magic the perfect formula Youri Djorkaeff reflects on his Bolton Wanderers stint It wouldnt be fair to compare Kevin Nolan with Zinedine Zidane but maybe he was a better warrior Youri Djorkaeff on two of his very different former team-mates Rod Wallace and Matt Jansen would trade goals in the 1-1 draw at the Reebok Stadium, with Rovers striker Andrew Cole seeing red after just 19 minutes. The rough and tumble of this Lancashire derby would end up being an ideal introduction to the physicality of the Premier League for Djorkaeff.I took several rough challenges while the referee kept on playing advantage he continues. My whole body ached. Gudni Bergsson, the captain, told me, Dont worry, its normal. Say nothing, dont make a fuss.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.I asked, But if they kick me, can I kick back? He said yes, but quietly. The second half was just bam-bam-bam. After that, I never had any more problems.The high point of Djorkaefs two-and-a-half-year spell at Bolton was when the team reached the final of the League Cup in 2004, when they faced Steve McClarens Middlesbrough.It was unexpected for Bolton to reach the Carling Cup final, Djorkaeff recalls. In one of the earlier rounds, we beat Liverpool 3-2 at Anfield incredible.But his memory of their run to the final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff is soured by the 2-1 defeat.Thats why it still frustrates me that we lost the final against Middlesbrough, even after all this time. I was angry because we were so close. I remember telling the team that we still had one more step to take, but we went in with the feeling that just getting there was already enough.Still, I keep the positives nobody expected us to reach a final and play in Europe within just three years. Bolton is a special club a part of Djorkaeff stayed there.TOPICSBolton WanderersLeague CupJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromDani Gil
