'Very strange' - Blackpool boss reflects on first Bolton Wanderers reunion since departure
Blackpool drew 2-2 with Bolton Wanderers at the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Blackpool boss Ian Evatt admits it was a strange feeling going back to the Toughsheet Community Stadium as an opposition coach against Bolton Wanderers.
The 44-year-old spent four-and-a-half years with the Trotters, serving as their manager between 2020 and 2025.
He took over the role on the back of winning the National League with Barrow, and guided Bolton to promotion as well, after finishing third in League Two in his first season in charge.
The former Seasiders defender also came close to reaching the Championship, but missed out on a place in the second tier after being defeated 2-0 by Oxford United in the 2024 League One play-off final.
There was success for Evatt at Wembley with the Wanderers, as they claimed a 4-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle 13 months prior to lift the EFL Trophy.
The two parties went their separate ways last January, with the now-Blackpool boss taking over at Bloomfield Road back in October following a break from management.
Evatt reflects on Bolton reunion
In Saturday’s 2-2 draw between the two clubs, Eoin Toal edged the home side ahead after the hour mark, before the Seasiders quickly turned things around through Hayden Coulson and George Honeyman.
There was another twist, as Mason Burstow pulled the scores level once again, to deny Evatt a victory in his first meeting with the Trotters since his departure last January.
Reflecting on his first visit back to the Toughsheet Community Stadium, the Blackpool head coach admitted: “It’s been strange to be honest; it’s been very strange. There’s no ill feeling from me towards this football club, it’s given me four-and-a-half brilliant years. I’ve met some wonderful people.
“I’m proud that I’ve managed at a football club of this stature, but I’m now the head coach of a football club that means the absolute world to me in terms of personal reasons.
“I’ve got that opportunity and today was all about winning for my football club - we didn’t manage to do it, but I think we gave a pretty good account of ourselves.
“Both fans will come away thinking what an entertaining game it was, and that’s what football should be about.”
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