The beautiful game is full of ups and downs for managers these days. Ian Evatt has found that out the hard way after Bolton showed him the door in the wake of a disappointing 2-1 loss to Charlton. Despite the club sitting ninth in League One, the board felt it was the right time to make a change.
It's been a topsy-turvy run for Evatt, who oversaw 261 matches and an impressive 130 victories during his tenure. But as the saying goes, football is a results business, and the pressure was mounting after a string of poor results.
Who will take the reins at Bolton?
There's no shortage of candidates lining up to replace Evatt, with Steven Schumacher and Gary O'Neil among the bookies' favourites. Schumacher has been linked with several vacancies recently, while O'Neil has impressed during his time at Bournemouth.
Other names in the mix include Des Buckingham, who has worked wonders at Mumbai City, and Leam Richardson, who has experience at this level with Wigan and Rotherham United.
But perhaps the most intriguing contender is none other than Sam Allardyce. The former Bolton boss, who was in charge between 1999 and 2007, has been out of work since leaving Leeds in 2023. Could a return to his old stomping ground be on the cards?
Whatever happens, Bolton fans will be hoping for an upturn in fortunes as they push for a play-off spot. With just three points separating them from the top six, a new manager could be the catalyst they need to kick-start their season.
Our two cents
Evatt's sacking may seem harsh to some, but it's a decision that had to be made. The club has been far too inconsistent this season, and a change was needed to shake things up. Whether the new manager can turn things around remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure - they'll need to hit the ground running.
As for the contenders, Allardyce's potential return would certainly be a headline-grabber. The man known as 'Big Sam' may divide opinion, but there's no denying his track record at this level. If he does come back, it would be a real statement of intent from Bolton.
Of course, there are other strong candidates in the mix too. Schumacher and O'Neil have both shown they have what it takes to succeed in management, while Buckingham and Richardson have plenty of experience at this level. Whoever gets the job, they'll have a big task on their hands.
But that's the beauty of football - it's unpredictable, it's exciting, and it's always full of surprises. Bolton fans will be hoping the next chapter is a successful one - and we'll be watching with interest to see how it all unfolds.
