WANDERERS expect to go about their summer planning without any drama on the managerial front.

The Bolton News understands that Ian Evatt is focused on returning to Lostock with his players next week, happy with the club, and gearing up for a fight to reach the Championship next season.

It has been widely reported that his former club Blackpool were interested in speaking to him about taking charge at Bloomfield Road following the shock departure of Neil Critchley to Aston Villa last week.

No official approach has been made to Bolton, and while the club are well aware of the speculation, there are no plans to make a comment at this time.

Blackpool have considered Evatt for the post before, during his time with Barrow, and will have understandably been impressed with the job he has done since – gaining promotion from the National League with the Bluebirds and then taking Wanderers out of League Two at the first time of asking.

A ninth-placed finish on the club’s return to League One was also deemed a positive campaign, and hopes are high inside the University of Bolton Stadium that with the right recruitment this summer a top six place will be within reach this time around.

Evatt has enjoyed a great relationship with Wanderers’ board, who stood by him during a rocky first few months in League Two, and feels confident he will get the financial backing to get the club promoted AND to compete in the division above.

Speaking last month, Evatt said: “The reason I took this job in the first place was that I didn't want stepping stones, I wanted a club I could develop, set up a brand and identity that could take us on that journey. That is still the case now.

"I know Sharon and the board share the same ambition. It is aligned.

"That is why I love my job. I love working with them because they share the same vision and dreams.

"It is the nature of the beast that when managers are successful, and I have had success while I am young in management terms, or if the way you play is considered attractive that you get linked to other things. But I am not interested in other jobs, this is my job and what I want to do.

"I love every minute of this job and my motivation is getting the club back to where it belongs. That is how it will stay."