"I needed a break" - Ian Evatt opens up on Bolton Wanderers exit, sends Steven Schumacker good luck message | OneFootball

Evatt was replaced by Schumacher at Bolton in January.

Ian Evatt has opened up on his Bolton Wanderers exit for the first time, as well as wishing new Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher good luck in his new role.

The 43-year-old exited the League One side in January after an underwhelming campaign and a poor run of form.

Evatt guided the Whites to promotion from League Two in 2021, establishing the club back in the third tier in his first year in charge.

This culminated in reaching the play-off final in 2024, but a loss to Oxford United at Wembley Stadium cost the team another promotion, and their form struggled to recover going into this season.

Ian Evatt makes Bolton exit admission and sends Steven Schumacher good luck message

Evatt has admitted that it was his decision to depart Bolton in January, claiming that he needed a break from the club after five years.

He believes that Steven Schumacher will make for a great replacement for him, before wishing him luck in the role.

“It was more my decision, to be honest,” said Evatt, via Sky Sports on Twitter. I had a feeling that I needed a break, just to refresh and a new challenge.

“Five years is a really long time and in current football, modern day football. I was speaking to the guys before about old managers having that longevity.

“They didn’t have social media to deal with and the pressures that brings. It was time for me really to take a step down, reassess, grow again, get better as a manager and come back.

“The club has been left in good hands.

“Steven [Schumacher] is a really solid manager and he’s had a great start. I wish them all the best.”

Bolton are still in the mix for a top six finish in League One this year, but face stiff competition from the likes of Leyton Orient, Reading and Charlton Athletic.

However, chances of a top two finish are all but gone given the lead Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers have at this stage.

Ian Evatt stepping down was the right choice for Bolton

Evatt had earned the opportunity to be given time to turn things around at Bolton given what he’d done for the club.

But if he felt it was time to move on, then he made the right choice to do so because it was starting to get sour between the team and the supporters.

Schumacher is an accomplished replacement, who has previously earned promotion to the Championship with Plymouth Argyle.

For Evatt, it sounds like it could be some time before he gets back into management and this step into a punditry role might suit him for the rest of the season.