Bolton Wanderers Football Club today announces that First Team Manager Ian Evatt has left the Club by mutual consent.
Ian joined Bolton Wanderers in July 2020 with the team at one of its lowest ebbs following relegation to League Two and went on to enjoy an outstanding tenure in charge to deliver some of the high points of the Club’s recent history.
During his first season in charge, Ian guided the Club to automatic promotion from League Two and the following campaign secured a ninth-place finish in League One.
Wanderers then won the EFL Trophy at Wembley Stadium for the first time in over 30 years in April, 2023 by defeating Plymouth Argyle 4-0 on a memorable day for almost 35,000 travelling fans at the home of English football.
During Ian’s tenure, the Club also reached the League One Play-Offs on two occasions, reaching Wembley again at the end of last season to compete in the play-off final.
Ian leaves with a win ratio of 50 per cent – one of the highest in the Club’s history – and having created more historic moments, including the Whites’ biggest-ever league win at the Toughsheet Community Stadium thanks to a 7-0 win over Exeter City in November, 2023.
That victory also made Evatt’s team the first from Wanderers to win eight games in a row for 33 years as they also recorded 100 goals during 2023 – only the third time the Club had reached a century of goals in a calendar year.
The Board of Directors would like to express its gratitude to Ian for his professionalism, commitment and creating a legacy during his time at Bolton Wanderers.
Bolton Wanderers Chairman Sharon Brittan said: “Ian arrived at a challenging time for Bolton Wanderers Football Club and his dedication to rebuilding both on and off the pitch has been commendable. He instilled a renewed sense of professionalism and purpose, and we are grateful for his significant contributions during his four and a half years at the helm.
“He has been a pleasure to work with and I personally thank him for his hard work and passion for this Club. He has created a tremendous legacy and will always be remembered for the successes he has brought. We wish him nothing but success in the future.
“The Board are committed to finding the right candidate to lead Bolton Wanderers forward.”
Ian said: “I’ve absolutely loved my time here at Bolton Wanderers Football Club. Working with Sharon and Nick (Luckock) has been a pleasure, and I’ve been superbly backed along the way by my team of staff and the players.
“There comes a point in football when a change needs to happen and the last thing I want is to damage what we have all built together.
“I believe the Club is still well placed to achieve its goals this season, and I want to give the Board and players the best chance of doing that.
“I am very grateful for everybody’s support and to be the manager of this wonderful football club has been the greatest honour of my career. To our fans, thank you for the support you have shown me and my staff.
“Together we have created some very special memories and I will always be a fan of this amazing football club.”
An announcement regarding the interim management will be made in due course.