'Really wanted' - Ex-Bolton Wanderers coach makes admission on Blackpool boss' ambition as he discusses Barrow role

Former Blackpool defender Andy Taylor states Ian Evatt will be ‘desperate’ for success at Bloomfield Road.

During their playing careers, both figures had the opportunity to captain the Seasiders, and have since gone down the coaching route.

Taylor spent a brief spell on loan on the Fylde Coast in 2006, before having a permanent stint in Tangerine between 2016 and 2018 - making 61 appearances in total, alongside winning promotion from League Two in his first full permanent season.

After hanging up his boots, the 40-year-old took over as Bolton Wanderers’ B-team head coach.

His time at the Toughsheet Community Stadium overlapped with Evatt’s stint in charge of the Trotters.

Taylor admits he was impressed by the amount of detail the now-Blackpool boss went through with his players.

“I first came across him in my first loan move down at QPR because he was there as well,” he said.

“It was only a short one so I didn’t get to know him well, but that’s when I first came across him.

“Then, when I joined Bolton, he was there as a manager. He’s really tactically detailed, he breaks the game into small segments and really analyses it.

“I know how much Blackpool means to him, so I know that was a job he really wanted. He’s said it loads, but this is the club that means the most to him.

“He was really delighted to get the job, and he’ll be desperate to do well.

“He’s very possession-based and detailed, so you’ve got to be an intelligent player to play under him, so I think I would’ve enjoyed that side.

“He’s been successful, so when he says you’ve got a chance of promotion, you believe it because of his CV.”

Taylor admits he was always keen to go down the coaching route, and states his move to Barrow as Adam Murray’s assistant coach in the summer was down to his long-term ambition.

“I always wanted to stay in the game - it’s all I’ve ever known,” he added.

“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’s 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’d 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’s like when you’re a young player, you’re ambitious and want to push yourself to get to the highest level you can.

“It’s been a tough start so far, but hopefully we’re 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’s a challenge I’m looking forward to.”