Blackpool Secure Ian Evatt as New Manager Amid Tough Start to Season
Blackpool Football Club has verified the appointment of Ian Evatt, formerly of Bolton Wanderers, as their new director.
The advertisement comes after a rocky morning for the crusade, with the Seasiders sagging near the lower end of the League One table.
Speaking about his comeback, Evatt said, “I’m thrilled to be back at Blackpool. The bond with this club and its supporters is very special.
I want us to play fearless attacking football and make Bloomfield Road a fortress for visiting teams.”
Suckers will hope his passion translates snappily on the pitch, as Blackpool look to halt their early-season depression.
Evatt’s rise in football management began with Barrow in June 2018, following a brief stint as caretaker at Chesterfield.
Blackpool Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Evatt as Head Coach on a deal until June 2028.
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) October 21, 2025
During his time at Barrow, he was creation to the English Football League after the 2019-20 season was elided by the epidemic.
In 2020, Evatt took charge at Bolton Rovers. Despite a rocky launch, he guided them to League One with a third-place finish.
His spell also included consecutive playoff appearances in 2022-23 and 2023-24, though a Championship promotion eluded his side.
Evatt parted ways with Bolton in January this year after a run of disappointing results, with the club finishing ninth in League One last season.
Blackpool, meanwhile, endured a poor start under former manager Michael Bruce, winning just four of their opening 11 league matches.
Since Bruce’s exit, Stephen Dobbie has been serving as interim boss. While he managed one victory in three outings across all competitions, the team has not tasted league success since beating Barnsley on 20 September.
Evatt will be supported by Steve Banks, with Dobbie continuing in his interim role. Former teammate Stephen Crainey joins as part of the coaching staff, bringing additional experience to the setup.
Blackpool’s first match under Evatt comes against Peterborough, a fixture both sides will see as pivotal. With Evatt’s deep ties to the club and extensive managerial track record, hopes are high that Blackpool can quickly turn their fortunes around.
