Andy Taylor has opened up about his time coaching at Wanderers and why it was the right time to move on when Barrow came calling.
Taylor left Bolton over the summer after two-and-a-half-years as head coach of the B Team, which is now known as the Under-21s.
He headed to Holker Street to become part of Adam Murray’s backroom staff as Barrow aim to bounce back from last season’s relegation from League Two.
The Bluebirds have had a tough start to life back in the National League, winning two of their opening nine games.
“I always wanted to stay in the game – it is all I’ve ever known,” Taylor told Blackpool Gazette. “I did my badges when I was still playing, so it was always the plan. I didn’t expect to finish as early as I did, but injury forced my hand. It is just the journey you go down.
“It was always something I wanted to go into. I was quite an observant player and would ask questions of managers and coaches that I worked with. It was an interest of mine, and a path I knew I would go down.
“I had been at Bolton two-and-a-half years doing 21s, which I really loved. It was great for me to develop and lead everything, but it got to the point where it felt like I needed a new challenge.
“When I got the phone call from Adam Murray in the summer, it was something I wanted to jump at. It is like when you’re a young player, you’re ambitious and want to push yourself to get to the highest level you can.
“It has been a tough start so far, but hopefully we are putting the building blocks in place to be successful.
“It was never going to be a quick fix, there was a lot of turnaround at the club so it was always going to take time after 18 months of suffering. It is a challenge I am looking forward to.”
During his time at Wanderers, Taylor worked with Ian Evatt. The pair had briefly crossed paths as players.
“I first came across him in my first loan move down at QPR,” said the 40-year-old. “It was only a short one so I didn’t get to know him well.
“Then, when I joined Bolton he was there as a manager. He is really tactically detailed, he breaks the game into small segments and really analyses it.”
Taylor added: “He is very possession-based and detailed so you have got to be an intelligent player to play under him. I think I would have enjoyed that side.”
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