What Blackpool manager Ian Evatt said to Bolton Wanderers fans after emotional Trotters return | OneFootball

The 44-year-old returned for the first time having spent nearly five years in Greater Manchester previously

Ian Evatt’s first return to Bolton Wanderers as Blackpool head coach was always going to be an emotional one for him, and a 2-2 draw at the Toughsheet Stadium was played out in dramatic fashion.

Late substitute Mason Burstow equalised for Steven Schumacher’s side on 85’ minutes, just eight minutes after George Honeyman had put the Tangerines 2-1 up - partly thanks to a horrendous Jack Bonham mistake.

Eoin Toal - who Evatt signed for Wanderers in 2022 - had scored the first goal of the game to put Bolton in front, yet that initial lead only lasted seven minutes before Hayden Coulson levelled things up.

Although Evatt was denied all three points on his trip back to Greater Manchester, he had plenty to reflect on and gave a classy message to fans of his former club.

Ian Evatt's 'strange' return to Bolton Wanderers as Blackpool FC head coach

Evatt admitted in his post-match interview that coming back to a place where he had spent nearly five years rebuilding Bolton Wanderers felt 'strange', even before a ball had been kicked.

"It's been a strange day really, Evatt told The Bolton News. He then spoke about how, in football, departures are usually abrupt, meaning he never truly had the chance to say goodbye properly when he left Bolton by mutual consent over a year ago.

"When you leave football clubs, you leave instantly.

"I built a lot of relationships while I was here over nearly five years so it was nice to see people before the game, but I'm always conscious that it doesn't turn into a sideshow or a circus. I'm here to do my job and for it to be strictly business," Evatt added.

Only once the full-time whistle had gone did Evatt allow himself to properly reconnect with some familiar faces he had grown close to during his time in charge of the Wanderers.

"Now I'm relaxed and we've got a decent result, I can spend some time saying hello to people and asking how they are because I've not had that opportunity," said Blackpool's manager.

"A strange feeling but the same technical area, same dugout. So yeah, it was a bit strange but I really enjoyed the game."

Bolton Wanderers fans sent classy message from Blackpool boss Ian Evatt

When it came to Bolton Wanderers supporters, Evatt first insisted he held "zero issues" towards the club, despite the nature of his exit. Said situation happened after a 2-1 defeat to Charlton Athletic, when Bolton were only three points shy of the play-off places of League One,

"I have zero issues," Evatt said. "I had a wonderful time here, I was extremely grateful to have the opportunity to coach this team and this football club. The size of it is ginormous, we had some success along the way that we mustn't forget."

That success, of course, involved guiding Bolton to promotion from League Two in his first season in charge and overseeing Papa Johns Trophy glory at Wembley in 2023. So, it was perhaps no surprise to hear that in his concluding post-match words, Evatt chose to take the high road and spoke of his wish for Bolton to get promoted.

"Football is emotional and people show their emotions in different ways, but I have no ill feeling at all and I wish Bolton all the best. I hope Bolton go on to get promoted, I really do," Evatt added.

"But today I'm the head coach of Blackpool Football Club, the club that I hold very dear to my heart for personal reasons and my playing career. I'm just trying to do the best I can for this club. Today we did."

With third-placed Wanderers now ten points shy of the automatic places, on 58 points, they definitely have a lot of work to do to catch either Lincoln or Cardiff City, but it was a classy touch regardless, and Evatt will always have a special place among the memories of many Bolton fans.