Cardiff City manager favourite confirms offers on the table and is 'ready to go'
The favourite for the vacant Bluebirds manager job has spoken as the search draws close to an end
Former Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt
(Image: Getty Images )
The bookmakers' favourite to become the next Cardiff City manager, Ian Evatt, has revealed he has received job offers and is "ready to go again".
The former Blackpool defender has been out of work since he left Bolton Wanderers at the start of the year following a successful stint with the Trotters.
Cardiff are on the lookout for Omer Riza's permanent successor, after he was sacked with three games to go. Cardiff, of course, were ultimately unable to avoid the drop to League One.
It is understood that a shortlist has been drawn up with a number of candidates having been spoken to. Evatt currently leads the bookies' list, ahead of Des Buckingham, the former Oxford United manager. Join the Cardiff City breaking news and top stories WhatsApp community
Speaking about a potential return to management amid links to the Cardiff job, Evatt told the Blackpool Gazette: 'It's the first time in 27 years that I've had a break from football, I went straight from playing to being a manager.
'I've been a manager for seven years, and at one club for five - that takes some doing in modern day football.
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'I was ready for a rest, and I've really enjoyed the break, but I'm starting to get itchy feet again and thinking about what comes next.
'I've had some offers that I've turned down, and didn't feel was quite right for me at that moment, but there's things happening all of the time. I'll wait and be patient, and try to pick the right option.
'When you're in the game, it's 24 hours a day and it's hard to gain perspective on what you've achieved, and also to grow and improve - and spend time thinking about what went well and what didn't go well.
'I've had a lot of success in seven years: I've had promotions, I've won trophies, I think I've got the highest win ratio of any Bolton manager post-war, so I've done a lot so far, but the last few months have been helpful for me and I'm ready to go again.'
The former defender, 43, transitioned from a successful playing career to management, making significant impacts at both Barrow and Bolton.
Evatt began his managerial journey with Barrow in 2018, leading them to promotion to the English Football League in the 2019/20 season — the club's first in 48 years. His attacking philosophy earned the team the nickname "Barrowcelona."
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In July 2020, Evatt took the helm at Bolton, then struggling in League Two and secured automatic promotion in his first season.
Under his guidance, Bolton won the EFL Trophy in 2023 with a 4–0 victory over Plymouth Argyle at Wembley. He also led the team to the League One play-off final in the 2023/24 season.
Over his tenure at Bolton, Evatt managed 261 games, achieving 132 wins, 52 draws, and 77 losses — a win rate of approximately 50%. His tenure concluded in January 2025 following some underwhelming performances. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
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