Ian Evatt lands job as Bolton manager after guiding Barrow back to the Football League

Bolton have appointed Ian Evatt as their new manager after he guided Barrow back to the Football League for the first time in 48 years.

The 38-year-old arrives at the Sky Bet League Two Trotters after Barrow were confirmed National League champions in June.

Evatt, who has named Peter Atherton as his No 2, replaces Keith Hill at the University of Bolton Stadium after his contract was not renewed last month.

Bolton have appointed Ian Evatt as their new manager following his success at Barrow

Evatt told Bolton’s website: ‘Bolton Wanderers is a fantastic football club with an incredible history and fanbase and this is a really exciting opportunity for us all.

‘Hopefully I can bring a brand and an identity that people will enjoy watching – attacking and scoring goals is what we all want to see.

‘We want to be challenging and competing for promotion at the top of the division and to see a packed University of Bolton Stadium.

Bolton suffered a second successive relegation this season, dropping down to League Two

‘The community and town is also very important to me. We will get out there and engage with them and make them proud of Bolton Wanderers.’

Wanderers suffered a second successive relegation this season having started the campaign with a 12-point deduction for entering administration. They finished the season with just 14 points from 34 matches.

The former Blackpool defender enjoyed promotion in his first managerial role as Barrow finished the curtailed National League season four points clear at the top. 

Their long-awaited return was secured following a National League clubs’ vote to decide final standings on unweighted points-per-game basis after the 2019-20 season was halted by the coronavirus pandemic and Evatt is set to face his old side next season.