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Blackpool consider potential candidates on ‘standby list’ if they part ways with Steve Bruce

Blackpool consider potential candidates on their ‘standby list’ if they part ways with Steve Bruce following a poor start.

Alan Nixon reports that former Bolton Wanderers boss Ian Evatt is being eyed up if the Tangerines fail to turn their form around.

Blackpool have picked up just one win and one draw in the opening six league games, and sit in the League One relegation zone.

Bruce, appointed last season after Neil Critchley’s dismissal, has a 34.5% win rate over 55 matches and was backed in summer transfers.

He felt the squad was good enough to challenge for promotion, however, it’s very much the opposite at this early stage.

Their next fixture away at 16th place Northampton Town after the international break.

The 43 year old departed Bolton back in January, but has been weighing up his options since then and is thought to be someone that club would like to have in charge.

Evatt played for Blackpool between 2006 and 2013. His playing career, which started in 1999 and ended in 2018, also saw him play for Derby, Northampton, Chesterfield and Queens Park Rangers.

His managerial career began as caretaker at Chesterfield in April 2018, ending in relegation to the National League, before joining Barrow in June 2018.

In 2019/20, he guided Barrow to the National League title (curtailed by COVID), secured promotion after 48 years.

Then in July 2020, Evatt became Bolton Wanderers’ head coach (later manager). After a poor start, he turned things around, earning League Two Manager of the Month awards and automatic promotion to League One in 2020-21.

The Trotters finished 9th in 2021/22 League One, and went on to win the EFL Trophy in April 2023, signing a new contract.

2022/23 ended in play-off semi-final defeat; 2023/24 saw another 3rd-place finish and play-off final loss, with Manager of the Month awards in October and November 2023.

Evatt left Bolton by mutual consent in January 2025, with the team 9th, and later worked as a loan adviser for various clubs, having develop the likes of James Trafford and Conor Bradley while at Bolton.

Blackpool’s last result was a 1-1 draw with Bolton. Bruce said after the game, per the club website: “It was a good game against a good team.

“I think both teams put on a really decent performance and it was hard earned.

“There was a bit of spice in it from the very first whistle, which there was always going to be. The history and tradition of both clubs is there for everybody to see.

“I think both teams are a little bit similar in terms of the start that we’ve made. I looked their team sheet and it was unrecognisable (compared to last season) – a little bit like ours.

“That little bit of luck deserted us with their goal which was fortunate. Overall I was pleased with the way we handled it and played.

“We were a bit nervous with the start (to the season) we’ve had, but the goal came at the right time probably with our first and a bit of fortunate too.

“It was great play from Dale Taylor (for the goal) and we’ve seen signs of him today and what a good player he is,” Bruce said.

“He’s got better as the weeks have gone by, the two games in successive days have helped him.

“We’ve seen one or two glimpses of people getting better, which they will do as time goes on.”

Here’s what fans on social media after saying as Blackpool consider potential candidates on their ‘standby list’ if they part ways with Steve Bruce…

@Nxozane_: Get ian evatt and we’re going down. This would be such a stupid decision, can’t insist enough on that. We have a feelgood vibe back and a decent squad, don’t need Appleton 2.0

@jonnyb7713: I would like to see us go for Skubala from Lincoln as a rogue shout

@shreko5000: Id look at challinor from Stockport tbh

@bwfc_elliot: This is why I think Blackpool are going nowhere this season. Even if they get rid of the failing Steve Bruce it’s inevitable that they’ll just replace him with the failing Ian Evatt

@JackWalker_99: 🤣🤣🤣 fucking mint

@GregJacks51: No thanks

@georgerobbo55: Dont want that arrogant twat back

@shreko5000: Dont want him hes not a good manager too much of an ego

@LeanneSmith82: Bloody hope not

@foreverayellow: rather surprised by the poor start for blackpool this season, thought they’d do better than this. time will tell if they can turn it around or not. pressure is on, especially after bruce said he expected them to be challengers for promotion

What are you saying? Should Blackpool part ways with Bruce? Can you even see an exit on the cards? Or give him and the squad more time to gel? Let us know via our socials!

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