Bolton Wanderers have been told how much they have to pay for one newly promoted manager, who is indeed their top target.
The chairman of National League title winners, Paul Hornby, has warned that the Trotters will need to pay “a massive amount of compensation” in one installment in order to appoint manager Ian Evatt as their new boss.
He also insists the four time FA Cup winners have not yet made an approach for their manager – but accepts there will come a time when he will have to depart.
“If you want him, you pay it in one hit”
Barrow AFC chairman Paul Hornby talks to @bbccumbriasport about speculation linking their boss Ian Evatt with Bolton #BWFCpic.twitter.com/ABYN76nNgm
— BBC RM Sport (@BBCRMsport) June 24, 2020
Wanderers are currently looking deep into all their options and have held interviews this week with a handful of candidates.
They also know how much compensation it would take to prise Evatt, or a select band of other top targets, from their current clubs.
Bolton’s owners, Football Ventures, are in the process of deciding whether to spend money on a manager already tied to a club – or to reinvest in the playing squad.
However, Hornby has said to BBC Cumbria Sport that – for now – he is not expecting Ian Evatt to leave Holker Street.
“There’s nothing to talk about just now,” he told the radio station. “We were having a bit of a laugh about it last night.
“We have always said he’s a very, very good manager. He’s got a lot of skills that some managers don’t have, he’s very tenacious, he wants to be the best.
“He obviously wants to step up at some point and we know at some juncture he’ll go.
“Me and Tony (Shearer, club owner) have been very open with him and said ‘if you do well this season, your next step is the Championship.’ “He’s probably been linked with every job that has come up – Blackpool, Fylde, Bristol Rovers, Cambridge, you could write them off. But there’s nothing to know, just now.”
Hornby has also warned any club wanting Evatt will have to pay the compensation, which is worth £120,000, in one full payment and that is non-negotiable.
“We made sure when he signed his new contract there’s a golden handcuff and a massive amount of compensation there and I am unrelenting on that,” said the Barrow chairman.
“You know, if anyone did come in, there’s no installments. If you want him you pay in one hit.”
The Bolton News reveal are looking at free agents, including ex-Charlton Athletic and Southend boss Chris Powell, Scotland coach Steven Reid and former Grimsby Town head coach Mike Jolley.
Current Under-23s boss David Lee has also been in discussions for the job and is understood to be a strong contender.
Evatt has spoken on guiding his side to promotion, which sees him carrying on an enviable personal record.
“I was speaking to my wife and it’s crazy to think that every division I’ve played in, other than the Premier League, and have now managed in I’ve been promoted out of, which is an incredible record, really,” he said.
“What we’ve done is do everything I said we’d do; we’ve re-engaged with the community, we’ve re-engaged with the fans, we’ve got the fans back through the door and we’ve got a board of directors who are fantastically supportive.
“We’ve got an identity and a brand that I’m extremely proud of and other people look at Barrow now with jealousy because of what we’re doing on the football pitch and that again is something to be really proud of.”
After Bolton were told how much they have to pay for top target manager in Ian Evatt, fans reacted…
With our financial history you can’t really blame him!
— William Ainscoe (@MisterA91) June 23, 2020
Would rather get Lowe for an extra 80k but I won’t be upset with this appointment.
— Aaron James (@aaron_drakeley) June 23, 2020
Ridiculous statement Marc, he joins Wanderers and a tribunal sets the compensation. Simple and both parties know it. You can’t stop the bloke working.,
— Philip Shortland (@PhilipShortland) June 23, 2020
If we have to pay that in installments, then we have got risky owners. It is in the name though “venture”. Anyway at this stage non of us know how ambitious FV are prepared to be. For me, it will depend on who we end up with that will prove ambition. Ryan Lowe would be my choice
— ItWasTheYearOf58 (@DMDbwfc) June 24, 2020
I want Evatt but my concerns are that he has gained promotions by being in charge and doing things his way. Not sure he would want to work under our current model (Tobias signing players). Time will tell!
— Tony Partington (@BWFCJOEandSAM) June 24, 2020
I don’t think you can blame Barrow, we can’t have the best credit reputation within football and these are worrying times for most clubs, let alone one that’s been financially devestated like us.
— Michael Southern (@MichaelSouther7) June 24, 2020
If we can’t afford to pay that it’s peanut’s in the football world may as well close the doors you have got to speculate to accumulate. This is going to be our most important signing in years just look at Chesterfield& Notts county what can happen by getting it wrong.
— Dennis Toole (@DennisToole1) June 23, 2020
Interesting indeed. Perhaps we could offer Barrow some land by way of security for any compensatory payments!!!!
— Steven Battersby (@SBBWFC) June 23, 2020
This is what he told AFC FYLDE when Barrow said he could go
— kevin.james (@pillbo01) June 23, 2020
Only fair from their point of view clnsidering the Doidge saga. Shame it’s the Clubs name that’s tarnished not the idiot who ran it ?♂️
— Aidy H (@AidyH3) June 23, 2020
Like what the Fan Banter have on offer? Sign up for more League One notifications!
