STEVEN Schumacher is understood to be interested in speaking to Bolton Wanderers about becoming their new manager after the departure of Ian Evatt.

The former Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City boss has been out of work since September last year but is one of several candidates who could fit the bill as Football Ventures set to work on a quick appointment which will give the incoming boss a chance to work in the January window.

Schumacher has a League One promotion on his CV with Plymouth and is keen to get back into the dugout. He also favours a style and formation not dissimilar to the one used by Evatt, which could suit the players already available in the squad.

Wanderers are not short on options, with former player Dean Holden also available after a spell coaching in Saudi Arabia under Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq.

The 45-year-old has also managed at Bristol City, Charlton Athletic and Oldham Athletic.

With just under a fortnight remaining in the transfer window, Wanderers may have to pursue a manager not currently tied to a job to avoid delays, with names like Gary O’Neill, Rob Edwards and Russell Martin all boasting top level experience alongside a preference for the possession style which has been coached at the club in recent years.

Ryan Lowe, Leam Richardson and Des Buckingham, formerly of Preston North End and Oxford United, are also available with promotions at this level of football, and David Wagner has worked alongside Bolton’s recruitment chief Chris Markham at Huddersfield, helping the club reach the Premier League.

It is considered a long shot that Wanderers would bring their former boss Sam Allardyce back in some capacity – but he has recently voiced a desire to return to the club in something other than a managerial role.

Of the options currently in employment, Stockport County’s Dave Challinor has been well backed on the bookies’ market, the former Bury and Tranmere defender having impressed taking the Hatters out of non-league to challenge for a play-off place in League One.

Wanderers have also announced that Julian Darby, Andy Taylor and Andy Tutte will be in interim charge for the game against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

Evatt’s exit by mutual consent was confirmed yesterday morning – but it is understood that he was followed by both assistant managers, Stephen Crainey and Peter Atherton, first team goalkeeper coach Matt Gilks and first team analyst Lewis Duckmanton.

That left Bolton to promote from the youth ranks, although in Farnworth-born Darby they have a coach with considerable senior football experience.

Though currently coach of the Under-18s, the 57-year-old has helped out at first team level before alongside Jimmy Phillips and with Phil Parkinson.

He also worked alongside managers like Uwe Rosler at Leeds United and Billy Davies at Preston North End and Nottingham Forest.

Taylor has worked with AFC Fylde as an assistant manager but has been with Bolton since last January when he replaced Matt Craddock as B Team manager.

Former midfielder Tutte has worked with the B Team in a player-coach role for the last few years since ending his first team career with Bolton because of injury.

Wanderers face Northampton Town on Tuesday night at the Toughsheet Stadium but it is not known whether they will have concluded their search for a new manager by that stage.