Ian Evatt: Should He Stay or Should He Go?
Ian Evatt: Should He Stay or Should He Go?
Despite a largely successful season for Bolton Wanderers, last weekend’s League One Playoff Final has created doubt over the future of Ian Evatt. The Bolton manager has a contract until the summer of 2026, but many wonder if he will still be in charge next season, whether he is sacked or chooses to depart of his own accord.
Evatt’s success with AFC Barrow highlighted his abilities to the Wanderers and he has impressed, improving every season. In just the second season back in League One, Evatt guided Bolton to a 5th placed finish and an EFL Trophy win at Wembley Stadium.
This season was supposed to be a return to the Championship and a step in the right direction for the club, under the new ownership. However, poor performances that couldn’t be converted into wins across the season saw the club enter the playoffs. Another poor performance in the playoff final will see the club remain in League One for at least one more season, but who will be in charge?
The Case For Ian Evatt
As Bolton Wanderers manager, Ian Evatt has a points per game of 1.73; this is the best PPG since Phil Brown who managed the club after Sam Allardyce in 1999 for just 27 days. The only permanent managers to ever achieve a better PPG than Ian Evatt are Bruce Rioch (1992-1995, 2 points per game), and Phil Neal (1985-1992, 1.74 points per game) as per transfermrkt.
In the 23/24 League One season Evatt has created a very impressive Bolton Wanderers, with the following statistics (compared to League One clubs):
Second most goals per game - 1.9
Second highest possession - 59.5%
Third highest expected goals - 67.6
Second highest possession won in the final third per game - 4.3
Fourth lowest expected goals conceded - 46.9
Ian Evatt has created a very well-rounded, possession-heavy Bolton Wanderers team, building foundations for now and the future. But are these foundations strong enough for now, or the future?
Potential Replacements
If Ian Evatt is to leave Bolton Wanderers, there aren’t any current standout candidates to take charge and no strong links to anyone as of yet. However, changing managers at any level is always difficult and should be done with great caution, one wrong decision could completely change the direction the club heads in.
Some possible candidates include the former Millwall manager Joe Edwards and the former Plymouth Argyle manager Ian Foster, both were dismissed earlier this season and are yet to find a new club. In League One, managerial appointments are even harder to predict and many coaches first make their journey into management in this division, like former Manchester United coach, Kieran McKenna.
A Tactical Change
I have the privilege of being a neutral in this situation and can therefore look at this from a different perspective. I believe the most important thing for the fans is that there is a tactical change from the current system. Whether this is a change to a back four, a more direct approach, or something completely different: it is clear and obvious that something has to change or this could become a toxic situation very quickly.
Personally, I would be doing everything in my power to keep Ian Evatt at the club if I were a member of the board at Bolton. While he isn’t perfect, Evatt has the ability to become a great manager and has already built the foundation of his Bolton side. It may not be the quickest way to get back to the Premier League, but it will be the most sustainable.
How Do Bolton Line up in a Back Four?
Fans across social media have often called for a change to a back four rather than Evatt’s current 3-5-2 system, with the most common suggestion being a 4-3-3, but does this work with the current set of players?
With Jack Iredale, who has transitioned to more of a central defender, the only natural left-back in the squad, a new left-back would have to be purchased. A right winger would also have to be brought into the club and even then there would be no quality in depth on the wings, any injuries would have to result in a formation change. Several players would have to be moved on to facilitate the system change and the current players could take some months to adapt. It will take time and additional finances for a complete managerial change.
Can Bolton afford to fire Ian Evatt? Is it worth firing Ian Evatt? How long will it take to return to the current level and expectations if he leaves?
Written by Callum.