Evatt's break from football 'best thing to happen'

Ian Evatt led Bolton to the League One play-off final during his time in charge of Wanderers

Blackpool boss Ian Evatt has said his break away from football has been the best thing that could have happened to his career.

The 43-year-old has returned to the club where he spent almost seven years as a player, taking charge of the Seasiders following the departure of previous boss Steve Bruce.

Evatt had been without a club since leaving Bolton in January, having spent four and a half years with Wanderers.

"I went 27 years with with no break, going from playing straight into coaching," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"At the time you don't feel like you need it but in hindsight it was probably the best thing that could have happened to me.

"It's hard to improve yourself when you're in a role and it's 24-7. It takes up all your time and you're almost in a bubble where you're just thinking about the next game and the next result."

Evatt has taken over a Blackpool side which is bottom of the third tier with nine points from 13 matches.

He left Bolton after a poor first half to the 2024-25 League One campaign, having steered them to the play-off final at Wembley the previous season.

"This time and period of reflection has given me that opportunity to understand what did go well. But there's also stuff that's gone wrong," Evatt added.

"It has given me the time to think about how I've changed and evolved and how to move forwards and do things a little bit better."

Evatt, who made 254 appearances for Blackpool during his playing career and played for the club in the Premier League, believes the experience he has gained as a manager speaks for itself as he returns to Bloomfield Road.

"I think I've got two real strengths, one being I have good emotional intelligence, I understand players, I can connect with players, and also I have a good technical and tactical understanding," he said.

"It's down to me to show everyone what I can do in those two aspects and get this club to back where I believe it belongs."

Evatt said that he wants to use his time at Blackpool to mark himself out as a coach of the club rather than simply just a former player.

He continued: "I get so much reward from putting a coaching plan together and working with the players on the grass throughout the week. Then seeing that come to life on a Saturday is just really rewarding and it gives me a real good sense of happiness.

"I think being here and doing that here will make it even more special. I'm here to recreate some of those magical times and be remembered as Ian Evatt the player and separately Ian Evatt the head coach and that's really important for me."