Cardiff face rebuild after relegation – Hendrie says Evatt is the right fit

Exclusive: Cardiff City backed to appoint “brilliant” Ian Evatt

Cardiff City’s search for a new manager has entered a decisive phase, with interviews set to take place this week, with sources telling Football League World that former Bolton boss Ian Evatt is among the candidates.

 

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie believes the 43-year-old would be a “really, really good appointment” as the Bluebirds prepare for life in League One.

 

Ian Evatt for Bolton Wanderers (1)

Cardiff face rebuild after relegation – Hendrie says Evatt is the right fit

Cardiff are facing a return to third-tier football for the first time in 22 years following their relegation from the Championship, confirmed just before the final weekend of the 2024/25 season.

 

The club parted ways with Omer Riza in the final weeks, with Aaron Ramsey taking interim charge. As the club now looks to reset, ex-Bolton boss Ian Evatt is among the names being interviewed, and Hendrie believes he fits the brief perfectly.

 

“I really think so,” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World when asked whether Evatt would be a good fit for the Cardiff job.

 

“Cardiff have to invest. They have to get that club back up and running. It’s a lot like Birmingham City, if I’m being honest. They’ve really fluctuated down the bottom end of the table over seasons, and they’ve lost their identity.”

 

evatt

“Evatt would be brilliant” – Hendrie praises Bolton achievements

Evatt was dismissed as Bolton manager in January following a dip in form, but not before guiding the club to successive play-off finishes in League One and building a competitive squad despite a tight budget.

 

“What he did at Bolton sometimes goes unnoticed,” said Hendrie. “They had no money whatsoever. He worked on limited budgets, bringing in free transfers, and really pushed the club forward. If you don’t get promoted, people think he should be doing better, but I think he did a really good job.”

 

Ian Evatt’s managerial stats

 

Team

 

Matches Managed

 

Wins

 

Draws

 

Losses

 

Win Percentage

 

Barrow

 

90

 

40

 

21

 

29

 

44.44%

 

Bolton Wanderers

 

261

 

130

 

58

 

73

 

49.81%

 

“I think he would be brilliant for Cardiff City. Ian Evatt would be a really, really good appointment for them.”

 

Ian Evatt in charge of Bolton Wanderers

Des Buckingham is also in frame as interviews begin

Evatt isn’t the only name in contention.

 

FLW have been told that Cardiff are also eyeing Des Buckingham, who guided Oxford United to Championship promotion via the play-offs last season, defeating Evatt’s Bolton 2-0 at Wembley.

 

Des Buckingham in charge of Oxford United

Despite that success, Buckingham was dismissed by Oxford in December following a dip in form.

 

The 40-year-old has also managed Wellington Phoenix in the A-League and lifted the Indian Super League title with Mumbai City in 2023. Cardiff could be his route back into management. However, Hendrie is adamant that Evatt’s track record makes him a standout.

 

ian evatt des buckingham cardiff city

 

Cardiff look to restore identity under new leadership

With League One football to prepare for, Cardiff’s next managerial appointment is critical. Hendrie believes that Evatt’s experience rebuilding clubs and fostering stability makes him an ideal candidate to get the Bluebirds back on track.

 

 

“They’ve lost the football club a little bit, and they need stability,” he added. “Evatt’s shown he can bring that. For a club like Cardiff, that’s exactly what they need.

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