Sam Allardyce, 70, dreaming of return to management at former club with three other bosses in running
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STEVEN SCHUMACHER is favourite to become Bolton boss — while Sam Allardyce dreams of an emotional return. Ian Evatt, 43, has left after four and a half years with Wanderers ninth in League One, three points outside the play-off places after a run of just two wins in nine.
![[Ian Evatt, manager of Bolton Wanderers.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bolton-wanderers-manager-ian-evatt-965752306.jpg?strip=all&w=727)
Allardyce, 70, fancies a return to the club he managed from 1999 to 2007 but his wages would be a big step up for Bolton. Schumacher, 40, is available and keen to return to management — with no compensation required. The former Plymouth and Stoke City boss has experience and success at the level so looks a perfect match.
![[Steven Schumacher, Plymouth Argyle manager, celebrates with the Sky Bet League One trophy.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/steven-schumacher-manager-plymouth-argyle-962213921.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Bolton have invested in the squad and want the return of promotion. They may pay for a rival club manager but it would help if he was a free agent. Rotherham’s Steve Evans has support while St Mirren’s high flying Stephen Robinson is another possible as the Bolton regime look for a solution.
![[Sam Allardyce, manager of Bolton Wanderers, shouts instructions during a soccer match.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bolton-wanderers-manager-sam-allardyce-945463345.jpg?strip=all&w=822)
Former Barrow boss Evatt joined Wanderers in July 2020 and guided the club to automatic promotion from League Two in his first season. He led the Trotters to EFL Trophy glory at Wembley in 2023, in addition to reaching the League One play-off final last season, which ended in a 2-0 loss to Oxford.
![[Sam Allardyce, manager of Blackburn Rovers, looking disappointed.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/sam-allardyce-manager-blackburn-rovers-867334623.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS. Evatt said: “I’ve absolutely loved my time here at Bolton Wanderers Football Club. "Working with Sharon and Nick (Luckock) has been a pleasure, and I’ve been superbly backed along the way by my team of staff and the players.
