Probably most difficult period of my life - Evatt
Bolton boss Ian Evatt has won 127 of his 252 games in charge of the club
- Published
Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt has said some of the criticism he has been subjected to from fans is "absolutely outrageous".
Wanderers, beaten League One play-off finalists last season, fell to a 2-0 home defeat by local rivals Wigan on Saturday and are 12 points off the top two.
Chairwoman Sharon Brittan released a statement this week to reaffirm the board's support for the 43-year-old who has been in charge of the Trotters since July 2020.
"Some of the things have been absolutely outrageous for someone who has given four and a half years of his life to this football club - it's extremely harsh," Evatt told BBC Radio Manchester.
"I'm not going to lose sleep over it because I need to focus on the players and that's where my focus is and should be.
"I've said enough and I don't need to keep justifying myself and what I've achieved so far here. My win record speaks for itself."
He added: "I'm only one man and I've taken a lot of heat and flak and people forget that I am human.
"It's probably been the most difficult part of my life personally but I'm strong and I'm made of stern stuff."
Bolton boss Ian Evatt pre-Wycombe
Evatt led the club to promotion from League Two in his first season and they have improved their final standing under him year-on-year.
They travel to League One leaders Wycombe on Friday in eighth, one point outside the play-offs but with two games in hand on some of the teams above them.
The former Barrow boss said that while he welcomed the support from the board he would walk away if he thought the players did not feel the same.
"It's great that I have the backing of the people who matter and the players have been the same. The minute I think the players don't want to play for me I will leave, there's no doubt about that," said Evatt.
"It's not disastrous - it's not like we're out of it. We know what we need to do and I think there's been too much said from me and from the outside. Actions speak louder than words."