Ian Evatt explains his decision to take a break from management after leaving Bolton

Ian Evatt explains his decision to take a break from management after leaving Bolton back in January 2025 after a 2-1 defeat to Charlton.

The result prompted an emergency board meeting and ultimately led to the end of his four-and-a-half-year tenure as manager.

Evatt, who had been with Bolton since July 2020, reflected on his time at the club, emphasising his affection for it despite the difficulties toward the end.

During his stint, Evatt achieved significant milestones, including guiding Bolton to promotion from League Two in his first season, winning the EFL Trophy in 2023, and also led the team to consecutive League One playoff campaigns.

However, this season, his Bolton side have been struggling to make themselves promotion contenders, sitting 9th in the League One table, three points off the playoff spots, with only three wins in their last nine league games when he left.

“It was time for me to take a step down and to reassess”

Former Bolton manager Ian Evatt details why he felt it was the right time to take a break from management. pic.twitter.com/QMj0MzheQZ

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 1, 2025

He said on Sky Sports on Saturday morning: “It was more my decision, to be honest. I had a feeling that I needed a break, just to refresh and a new challenge.

“Five years is a really long time and in current football, modern day football. I was speaking to the guys before about old managers having that longevity.

“They didn’t have social media to deal with and the pressures that brings. It was time for me really to take a step down, re-assess, grow again, get better as a manager and come back.

“The club has been left in good hands. Steven is a really solid manager and he’s had a great start. I wish them all the best.”

At the time of his exit, 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.”

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.”

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Here’s how fans reacted as Ian Evatt explains his decision to take a break from management after leaving Bolton…

@bwfc_elliot: Evatt says it was “more my decision” to leave. That doesn’t stack up with the actual circumstances of him leaving with it happening straight after a bad result. After the Charlton defeat and emergency board meeting was called and they decided it was time to change manager. This is not what happens when a manager chooses to step away.

@drac_uk: You were sacked you big fraud. Good luck to anyone who takes him on as manager. Useless. Ian Evatt making a total fool of himself. Apparently he wasn’t sacked, he chose to take a break. His ego will never ever let him accept that he failed. Had he gone in summer he could have retained some credibility. Now he failed and looks bitter

@SeanBwfc1992: Resigned because the owners didn’t have the balls to do it

@Sam_Cummins: Doing his legacy no favours coming out with tosh like this. You were sacked after a long spell of substandard results.

@OldManWinter999: The great underachiever spouting more nonsense and delusion. I feel sorry for the next club that appoints him.

@OneSizeFitz89: “It was more my decision” – Fucking fraud. 😂😂😂 #BWFC

@JackWalker_99: Big useless muppet

@krisconvery: Self obsessed prick. Never been so glad to see the back of a manager of my football club. #bwfc

@BWFCNathan94: “Me me me me me me me” “it’s all about me” “everything is about me”. Fucking self entitled prick. Hope he never finds another job the useless fucking prick. A big fat fuck you Evatt

@bwfc454: Nothing to do with the attendances figures then for that Charlton game… talking utter shite as per usual

@BBladderwrack: Go and force your arrogance on someone else. It comes as no surprise to see you go on TV and actually claim to have ‘resigned”, because yeah, it’s everyone else who’s out of step with you, isn’t it?!

@BoothyP:
“It was more my decision”
Yeah course it was Ian. 😂😂🤡

@ab1d03: Wouldn’t be surprised if it was his decision tbh, did a good job overall but was deffo time to go. I wish him the best #bwfc