Bolton Wanderers lining-up backroom shake-up to boost promotion chances

Wanderers are preparing to shake-up Ian Evatt’s backroom team in their bid for success in League One next season.

The Bolton News understands there will be a number of changes behind the scenes in pre-season, including the appointment of a new member of first team coaching staff.

After defeat in the play-off final in May chairman Sharon Brittan pledged there would be a “root and branch” review of all departments as she looked for any potential weaknesses or improvements which could be made at the club.

Players are due back for fitness testing this week before they travel to a training camp on the Algarve and it now appears there will be at least one new face in Evatt’s staff, with others altering their current job specifications.

For the last four years Evatt has been assisted by Peter Atherton, who came with him from Barrow, and last November Matt Craddock was promoted from the B Team to first team coach after the departure of Sam Hird, who left to take up a role with the PFA. Matt Gilks has been full-time goalkeeper coach since he retired from playing in January 2022, having initially joined in the summer of 2020.

Wanderers have also built up their sports science, recruitment and analysis departments in the last couple of years, overseen by Chris Markham, whose job title was changed to that of Sporting Director last season.

It was confirmed earlier in the month that more resources would be diverted towards the first team to ensure they are as competitive as possible in a division which is likely to boast some significant budgets.

Birmingham City have reportedly offered their new manager Chris Davies £20million to spend next season, while fellow relegated club Rotherham United have brought in eight new signings to boost their squad for new manager Steve Evans.

The likes of Huddersfield Town, Charlton Athletic and Wrexham will also have money to spend, in a league many feel could be the closest-run for some time.

Wanderers are also looking to minimise disruptive effects caused by last season’s failure to gain promotion and could feel some new voices in the backroom staff can make a difference.

Meanwhile, the Whites have been drawn alongside League Two outfits Fleetwood Town and Barrow in their Bristol Street Motors Trophy group. A fourth team will be added of Thursday from eight Under-21s representatives including Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.

This year’s prize money for the competition would guarantee the winner just over £300,000, with extras according to gate receipts and TV revenues.

The full League One fixture list will be out tomorrow (Wednesday) and the Carabao Cup first round draw will also be made on Thursday afternoon.

The Bristol Street Motors Trophy Northern draw in full:

Group A - Accrington Stanley, Stockport County, Tranmere Rovers.

Group B - Port Vale, Salford City, Wrexham.

Group C - Carlisle United, Morecambe, Wigan Athletic.

Group D – Barrow, Bolton Wanderers, Fleetwood Town.

Group E – Blackpool, Crewe Alexandra, Harrogate Town.

Group F - Barnsley, Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield Town.

Group G – Chesterfield, Grimsby Town, Lincoln City.

Group H - Bradford City, Mansfield Town, Rotherham United.