'It was a no-brainer to come' - Crainey on decision to leave Wigan for Bolton

STEPHEN Crainey believes he can add something extra to Bolton Wanderers’ quest for success in League One this season.

The 43-year-old Scot quit Wigan Athletic this week to join his former Blackpool team-mate Ian Evatt’s backroom at the Toughsheet Stadium.

Former Celtic defender Crainey had a playing career spanning 19 years and more than 400 games and since hanging up his boots also took temporary charge of Fleetwood Town in the second half of the 2021/22 campaign.

He worked with Wigan’s youth team last term and was also promoted to Shaun Maloney’s first team staff but felt the opportunity to team up with Evatt at Bolton was too hard to turn down.

“I'm looking forward to it,” he said. “I've had a few previous roles looking after U21s teams and I've had a couple of bits of experience as well in first-team roles and responsibilities, so when the gaffer gave me the call to come in and be part of his coaching staff I was delighted to come.

“As soon as he made that contact I wanted to be here and try and help an already unbelievably knowledgeable staff and hopefully I can add to that.

“Bolton is a massive club and it was a no-brainer to come. I'm really excited for the challenge and the good thing is I'm going to be in for pre-season and the trip to Portugal as well.

“I'm dying to get on the grass. That's where I feel I come into my own with them and getting to know the players as well. I'm looking forward to that side of things and I'm excited for the challenge ahead.

“The players have had a good rest now so will be coming in fresh and hopefully we can hit the ground running right from the start.”

After last season’s defeat in the play-off final Wanderers conducted a thorough review to assess what areas they felt must improve in order to improve their fortunes this time around.

Chairman Sharon Brittan says the club will divert available funds towards the playing squad to ensure it is as competitive as possible, knowing full well that some substantial budgets are about to enter League One.

Crainey says he has the experience to help a Bolton squad he feels should be challenging at the top end of the table.

“Hopefully we can all come together and have a really good season,” he said.

“I had a really good relationship with the manager and we had some unbelievable times at Blackpool as players. That's all in the past and now we’re on the other side in a coaching capacity and we're excited for the new season ahead.

“We want to be in every game we’re in this season, win as many games as we can and see where it takes us at the end of the season and hopefully it can be a good one.

“I've been involved in League One for the past six or seven years in some capacity so hopefully that knowledge can help on top of the unbelievable knowledge of the staff we've already got. Hopefully I can add to that and enhance it and we can all help each other. The be-all and end-all is winning games of football and that's what we're here to do.

“It's a really talented group (of players). I saw that first-hand last season so hopefully we can add to that as well. I'm sure the manager will look to do that. Players that are in the building now are top, top players for League One and hopefully they can showcase what they've done last season and more.”

Crainey’s former club Wigan Athletic wished him well after confirming they had settled a compensation package with Wanderers for his services.

“Wigan Athletic can confirm that Stephen Crainey has left the Football Club to take up an assistant manager role at Bolton Wanderers after a compensation package was agreed between the two clubs,” a statement read.

“Crainey returned to the Brick Community Stadium in November 2022, being appointed as the club’s lead professional phase coach after four years with Fleetwood Town.

“Following a season with the club’s U21s, Crainey was promoted to the role of first team coach at the start of the 2023/24 campaign by first team manager Shaun Maloney.

“Following 12 months in his new role, Crainey expressed his interest in taking up an opportunity with his former teammate Ian Evatt at Bolton Wanderers, who he played alongside at Blackpool. A compensation package has therefore been agreed with Bolton.

“We would like to thank Stephen for his efforts whilst at Wigan Athletic and wish him well.”