'Disappointing' - Blackpool boss makes feelings clear ahead of return to former club Barrow

Blackpool boss Ian Evatt admits he heads back to Barrow with a degree of disappointment on Saturday afternoon.

The 44-year-old landed his first permanent coaching role with the Bluebirds back in 2018, and guided the Cumbrian outfit to the National League title in his second season.

Following a six year stint in League Two, Barrow’s time in the EFL came to end back in May, as they suffered relegation back to the fifth tier.

Evatt’s Seasiders side face his former club this weekend in their third pre-season friendly of the summer.

While it’ll give the retired defender the opportunity to see some familiar faces and reflect on past successes, he states it will be bittersweet.

“It gave me a great start in my managerial and coaching career,” he said.

“I had a wonderful time there. There’s lots and lots of good people. I obviously had a huge amount of success.

“The disappointing thing for me is, I’m returning back to a club in the National League - which is incredibly disappointing for everyone.

“There’s still some really good people up there, and I’m looking forward to going.

“A lot of people worked hard to get the club in the EFL, and there’s still people there who did that. It’s disappointing for the town and disappointing for the fans - hopefully they can bounce back.

“Their new manager (Adam Murray) is a guy I grew up with at Derby County, we were in the same youth team together. Fingers crossed he can get them marching forwards again.”