National League champions Barrow will have a new manager at the helm when they kick off in the Football League again after Ian Evatt was unveiled as Bolton Wanderers boss on Wednesday.
Newly-crowned FotMob Manager of the Year Evatt quit the Bluebirds after two successful years in charge to take over at their new League Two rivals after the clubs finally agreed a compensation fee.
His number two Peter Atherton and first team analyst Lewis Duckmanton have also left as part of the deal which had stalled over the weekend as officials at Holker Street stood form over the price of losing Evatt and his touchline team.
The agreement also includes a two-year embargo on Evatt approaching any Bluebirds under contract as the Cumbrians look to make a successful return to the EFL after a 48 year absence.
Today Barrow AFC signed an agreement with Bolton Wanderers FC, releasing Ian Evatt from his First Team manager role with us.
Read More ??https://t.co/ZzCRRrANEp#BarrowAFC#BackTheBluebirds
— Barrow A.F.C. (@BarrowAFC) July 1, 2020
A club statement read: “We would like to thank the Bolton representatives for the professional manner in which they undertook the negotiations and their respect for the compensation clause within Ian’s agreement. Once Ian had expressed last Friday his desire to leave Barrow AFC we felt it only fair to honour our agreement with him.
“We are very confident we can recruit a new management team that can take us to the next level also playing attractive, possession based football. We wish Ian all the best in his future career and look forward to seeing him again next season.
“Ian joined us over two years ago and in that time we have seen a transformation on the pitch. From a side which had just avoided relegation, he implemented a possession based footballing philosophy which culminated in us winning the league.
“Finally, we would also like to confirm that included in the agreement is a two year embargo that means Bolton cannot approach any Barrow players under contract. The search for Ian’s successor has already begun and we’ll be keeping the fans updated on how that process develops.”
Barrow chairman Paul Hornby also paid tribute to Evatt. “It’s always disappointing when someone decides to move on especially when they’ve had such a positive impact,” he said.
The full statement from our board of directors following the departure of Ian Evatt.
It confirms a two year embargo is in place on Bolton Wanderers approaching Barrow AFC players under contract. #BarrowAFC#BackTheBluebirds pic.twitter.com/IB4HJPRCxA— Barrow A.F.C. (@BarrowAFC) July 1, 2020
“Ian did a wonderful job over the time he was here and he leaves us with a blueprint and identity of how we want our team to play and a great group of players. We shouldn’t let his departure distract from a fantastic season and the massive opportunity promotion creates for this club going forward.”
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