Steven Schumacher the Favourite as Bolton Search for Ian Evatt Successor
Ian Evatt's time at Bolton will be fondly remembered in the future. However, the 2024/25 season definitely tarnished the relationship slightly, and this saw him depart in the middle of January.
Next Bolton Wanderers Manager Odds
Below are the latest betting odds for Bolton's next permanent manager at the time of this post.
Evatt Reaches the end of the Road
Ian Evatt's time with Bolton was successful. He had the Whites challenging towards the top end of the table since their return to League One and had multiple play-off campaigns.
This season though, things dropped off massively. Evatt's side had not been hitting the heights that they may have had in recent years, and throughout the season there were calls for the owners to go in a different direction.
Many have consistently voiced that the club have hit a roadblock due to Evatt's tactics, and so the end of the road was reached with Evatt, with the club parting ways after a defeat to Charlton.
A win against Huddersfield at the weekend has proved that the squad has potential, so a new manager could look to get the side into the play-off places come the end of the season.
Next Bolton Manager Odds - The Bookies Favourites
There is one clear favourite for the Bolton job as things stand, but it is still worth taking a look at the top candidates as things have been known to change quickly before.
Steven Schumacher - 1/2
Steven Schumacher is an appointment that I really like the idea of. The former Stoke manager showed signs of positivity in his brief spell in the Midlands, but his big role at Plymouth is where he earned the most of his praise.
With the Pilgrims, the 40-year-old impressed heavily getting the side into the Championship on a shoestring budget whilst making very impressive signings in the process. For this reason, he is very much a project manager.
The project at Bolton is certainly an enticing one, and there is an interesting squad ready for any head coach to come into. Schumacher would be a fantastic appointment if he is ready to drop down a league.
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
| Min. Deposit | £10 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | £30 |
| Turnover | No wagering |
| Expiration | 7 days |
Des Buckingham - 4/1
Des Buckingham is a standout candidate for the Bolton job it has to be said, and picking between Schumacher and Buckingham is a difficult task that I am glad I don't have to make. His promotion with Oxford is a sign of his brilliance, and he can only be credited.
Speaking to Coaches Voice, Buckingham summarised why his Oxford team worked so well, "I wanted us to continue playing good football while picking up results and transitioning to a style of play different to what Liam had set the team up to be," and in many ways, the Bolton squad has similar characteristics.
Evatt's style had some similar features, but there were issues with the consistencies, and sometimes fresh ideas are needed. Buckingham could be a fantastic choice and is a lot more ambitious than what other League One hopefuls are being.
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
| Min. Deposit | £10 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | £30 |
| Turnover | No wagering |
| Expiration | 7 days |
Rob Page - 5/1
I have huge doubts about Rob Page it has to be said. At the end of 2020, Page was made the Wales head coach and whilst he achieved some fantastic things in his time in charge of the National Team, his stock dropped at the end of his tenure.
Having not been a club manager since 2017, I also have questions about how he would fare back in the football league. For me, I'd be looking elsewhere, this much is for sure.
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
| Min. Deposit | £10 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | £30 |
| Turnover | No wagering |
| Expiration | 7 days |
The Odds Elsewhere
Gary O'Neil's name is listed in the odds, but this feels like a far-fetched hope more than anything else, I must admit. However, it would be a huge statement signing if made.
Robbie Fowler's inclusion is definitely somewhat of a shock, I must admit. Instead of it being ambitious, I'd definitely be looking away from the former Liverpool man.
Rob Edwards, Sam Allardyce and David Wagner are also all listed as options, but all three just don't feel like the right match for the club. Edwards' stock is horrifically low, so I don't know if he would get a job just yet. Wagner is probably looking higher than League One, and then Allardyce just feels like a lost option.
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
| Min. Deposit | £10 |
|---|---|
| Max. Amount | £30 |
| Turnover | No wagering |
| Expiration | 7 days |
Odds on Bolton to Get Top Six
As of January 28, Bolton are best-priced at 17/10 to get a League One play-off place in the 2024/25 season. After a huge win against Huddersfield, the side have shown that they are capable of getting big results, so their manager must further instil ambition into the squad.
Ben is an accredited football journalist who follows anything from League One to Serie A, also working for the likes of SempreMilan and Total Italian Football. As an avid punter, he has become the master tester at BettingLounge, refusing to take bookies by their words when it comes to withdrawal times and much more.