Ian Evatt makes Bolton Wanderers Premier League claim

Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt has made the confident claim that he believes he will be a Premier League manager and that his Trotters side will become a top-tier outfit too, in conversation with Manchester Evening News.

Evatt, who won promotion from League Two during his first season with Bolton, managed a ninth-placed finish in League One this campaign. 

Naturally, the ambitious nature of Evatt, and the football club under his stewardship, the Trotters will be eyeing promotion to the Championship next time out.

Speaking to Manchester Evening News about his personal long-term objectives in the footballing world, Evatt said: “I have said it a lot and people can mistake this for arrogance but it isn’t, it is just confidence and belief. I believe I will be a Premier League manager and I believe Bolton will be a Premier League football team again.

“Now there are a lot of things that have to go on before that becomes possible but the reason I took this job in the first place was that I didn’t want stepping stones, I wanted a club I could develop, set up a brand and identity that could take us on that journey. That is still the case now.

“There are so many exciting things happening – B Team, Academy, here at the stadium – it is an amazing time to be manager of this football club.

“I have been able to re-engage with the fans because we’ve reached the end of the pandemic, at least in football terms. It is a big vision of mine to get this club back there. It is where we believe it should be.

“It is OK having those end dreams and goals but you have to have the foundation and structure to get us there. It can be baby steps along the way.”

The verdict 

Evatt’s first two seasons in charge at The University of Bolton Stadium has