Ian Evatt is looking to replicate the success he enjoyed with Blackpool during his playing days.
Blackpool boss Ian Evatt has been issued a warning that his club legend status at Bloomfield Road will only buy a certain amount of goodwill in the long-term.
The 44-year-old enjoyed huge success on the Fylde Coast during his playing days, winning both the League One and Championship play-offs throughout his seven-year stint in Tangerine.
Since hanging up his boots in 2018, the former centre back has forged a successful managerial career - enjoying success with both Barrow and Bolton Wanderers.
Evatt’s dream job came his way last October, with the Seasiders appointing him as head coach following a tough start to the 2025/26 campaign.
Both highs and lows have followed in his first nine months at the helm, but the positives certainly offer a strong platform to build off in his first pre-season in charge.
Ex-England international issues Blackpool boss warning
Danny Mills (Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images)placeholder image
Danny Mills (Photo by Gary M. Prior/Getty Images) | Getty Images
As an outside observer, Danny Mills insists it will be important for Evatt to oversee positive changes heading into the new League One campaign.
The ex-Leeds United and Manchester City defender, who featured 19 times for England, states even greats only get a limited amount of time to make things work.
“Ian Evatt at Blackpool? - club legends are great until they're not,” he told Snabbare.
“It gives you a little bit of a honeymoon period, maybe four or five more games than another manager, but it's all about results.
“In professional sport, you have to win. You get judged on results first, then performances, style of play, and recruitment.
“That hasn't changed in the 35 years since I came into football. You have to win, and whether you're a club legend or not, you only get a finite amount of time to prove yourself.
“If you don't, the crowd will eventually say that you were a fantastic player but aren't cutting it as a manager.”
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