Sammy Lee has claimed that he has "unfinished business" with Bolton Wanderers after returning to the club as an academy coach.
The 53-year-old, who was appointed on Tuesday, was sacked after just nine games in charge at the Reebok Stadium when he took over from Sam Allardyce in 2007.
"I've still got some unfinished business here," he told the club's official website. "I was disappointed when it didn't work out as a manager.
"There were no hard feelings. It is never nice to lose your job and I fully understand the decision had to be taken.
"We didn't have a very good start, so it was inevitable, but the fans were great with me, even through the hard times, and I want to give something back."
Bolton are currently 19th in the Premier League table.