IAN Holloway says he takes pride in seeing his former players managing in the Football League, including Wanderers boss Ian Evatt.

Evatt played under Holloway at Blackpool and was part of the side that won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in 2010.

Former team-mate Stephen Crainey has also entered management with Fleetwood, while Rob Edwards’ Forest Green are closing in on promotion from League Two.

Moreover, the likes of Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Billy Clark and Keith Southern have also transitioned to coaching after finishing their playing careers.

Holloway admits he built a strong relationship with Evatt and company during his time at Bloomfield Road and is pleased to see them developing as managers.

“I’d like to think I’ve affected some people in the long term and what makes me proud now is seeing the three lads from my Blackpool side turning into League managers,” he told Tubes & Ange Golf Life.

“I don’t know, maybe I affected them. But they certainly affected me and my life so that’s what I enjoy the most.

“The best thing about management is getting a group of people to believe in the same thing and then go to work and deal with whatever happens, because you can’t always say it will go well.

“But when they all grow and build personalities, you all start to feel like one, like I had with Blackpool. It’s quite incredible.

“It doesn’t always go right in football, does it? But I’ve never tried to change who I am.”

Holloway has been out of management since leaving Grimsby over a year ago.

Evatt spent seven years in total at Blackpool and was an ever-present figure during their 2010/11 Premier League campaign.

After leaving Bloomfield Road, he returned to Chesterfield and was part of the side that won League Two in 2014.

Social, newsletters, subscriptions and getting in touch...

You can follow the Bolton News on social media, by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

We also have dedicated Facebook groups on Crime & Court, Traffic & Travel, Nostalgia and our Camera Club page

If you want to make sure you don't miss the most important news stories every day, sign up to one of our free e-mail newsletters 

Gain unlimited access to the Bolton News website with a premium digital subscription

Or if you want the Bolton News newspaper delivered to your door, get in touch with our home delivery team or call us on 0800 953 0227

Finally, have you got a story for us? If so, contact us at newsdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk or by using our online contribution form