FORMER Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has backed Ian Evatt for the vacant managerial position at Bloomfield Road.

Evatt spent seven years with the Seasiders as a player and was part of the squad that won promotion to the Premier League under Holloway.

The Championship side are currently searching for a new boss following Neil Critchley’s shock move to Aston Villa to become Steven Gerrard’s assistant.

And Evatt is one of several managers to be linked with the position after guiding Wanderers to a ninth-place finish in League One last season.

Holloway named the Bolton chief alongside the likes of Stephen Crainey and Gary Taylor-Fletcher as suitable candidates.

He told talkSPORT: "I'm absolutely gutted for the Blackpool supporters because I think he (Critchley) was doing a fantastic job, so on a personal note congratulations to him because if he feels that's a step up again then good luck to him.

“Obviously financially he's going to be much better off because the money in the Premier League is ridiculous. Blackpool are building and growing and I feel for them because it was a great fit for them I felt.

"They wouldn't want me. I just feel the energy a manager needs these days, the way the game is changing, I could help a younger one part-time talking to them and helping them with my experience doing bits and pieces but to do the main job is different.

“To go all the way back up there again which is six hours away from my grandchildren growing up, I'm not sure that would be right for me and I'm not sure they would want me anyway.

"What about Ian Evatt from Bolton, would he not go? Or Stephen Crainey, maybe Charlie Adam could take over. Gary Taylor-Fletcher is coaching, Billy Clarke's coaching and I'm delighted for all of them."

Cheltenham boss Michael Duff has also been linked with the Blackpool job and has reportedly been granted permission to speak to the Seasiders.

Holloway added: "I think it's their turn (younger managers). The next generation need to come in with their ideas to move the game forward with their energy.

“Duffy's a fantastic fella, I'm not sure why he's not in the running for Burnley at all yet.”