New Blackpool Football Club Head Coach Announced

Ian Evatt has been Appointed Head Coach at BFC

The former Pool defender returns to Bloomfield Road on a contract until June 2028. He holds an eye-catching record in the game, with a near 50% win ratio across his 350 games as a manager.

Evatt’s first success came at Barrow, winning the National League title in 2020. He continued to demonstrate his ability to install an attractive style of play and winning mentality within his squad at Bolton Wanderers, guiding the Club to automatic promotion to League One and subsequent play-off campaigns in the third tier.

Evatt is also lauded as one of Blackpool’s greatest ever defenders. Across his seven years as a player at Bloomfield Road, he achieved two promotions, including a memorable Premier League campaign. In total, Evatt made 254 appearances in tangerine, scoring ten goals.

He is joined by ex-Pool team-mate Stephen Crainey as Assistant Head Coach, who will work alongside Stephen Dobbie and Steve Banks to complete the coaching setup at Bloomfield Road.

On his appointment as Head Coach, Ian Evatt said:

“It’s incredibly emotional to return here and to be given this opportunity.

“I know first-hand what this Club and its supporters can achieve together. We all want to see fearless attacking football where Bloomfield Road is a really tough place for any team to play.

“It’s a real honour to be back here as Head Coach and I cannot wait to meet the players and to get started.”

Owner Simon Sadler said:

“I’m delighted to welcome Ian back to the football club, in what is a vital appointment.

“His impressive managerial record at this level, strong technical knowledge of the game alongside a passion and enthusiasm to return to the Club makes him the ideal fit.

“Whilst it has clearly not been the start to the season that any of us have wanted, I am now hopeful that results and performances will start to turn in our favour as we look to climb the table.”