**Ian Evatt Emerges as Frontrunner for Cardiff City Manager Position Amid Intensive Search**
Cardiff City are progressing in earnest towards naming a new first-team manager, with the club expected to announce an appointment ahead of their fresh League One campaign. In a significant twist, Ian Evatt has shot to the top of bookmakers’ odds, emerging as the favourite to take charge of the Bluebirds after a rigorous preliminary selection phase.
Evatt, aged 43, has built a notable reputation since shifting from his defensive playing days to the dugout. His early managerial breakthrough came at Barrow, where he masterminded a remarkable ascent to the English Football League in 2020—ending a 48-year spell outside the professional ranks. Evatt’s commitment to a progressive, attacking style invigorated his teams and earned Barrow the affectionate moniker “Barrowcelona” amongst supporters.
The former Bolton manager’s profile rose further after moving to the Lancashire club at a time of turmoil, with Bolton adrift in League Two. In his debut season at the helm, Evatt steered the Trotters to automatic promotion. His time at Bolton also brought silverware, clinching the EFL Trophy at Wembley with a resounding 4-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle in 2023, and leading the side to the League One play-off final during the 2023/24 campaign.
Evatt’s managerial statistics at Bolton underline a tenure of relative success. Over 261 fixtures, he registered 132 wins, 52 draws, and 77 defeats—amounting to a win rate hovering around 50%. Despite these positives, a downturn in results saw him depart in January 2025, opening the door for fresh challenges, such as the opportunity in Cardiff.
Behind the scenes, the Cardiff City hierarchy are said to be conducting a thorough and structured recruitment process. Chairman Mehmet Dalman recently expressed hopes that a new manager would be installed before month’s end, and a shortlist featuring around ten names is believed to have been finalised for interview and consideration by the board.
An important shift appears to have taken place in the club’s recruitment outlook. Sources close to the board indicate that owner Vincent Tan has steered away from pursuing less experienced, younger managers—a reaction to last season’s relegation under Omer Riza and earlier struggles under Erol Bulut. Instead, experience, particularly English football know-how and evidence of previous promotions, now seem prerequisites for candidates.
A subcommittee led by head of academy Gavin Chesterfield, experienced football administrator Mark Allen, and a representative from the influential sporting agency Wasserman is steering the process. It is thought that a number of candidates have already undergone preliminary discussions, with the panel preparing to make formal recommendations soon.
Ian Evatt’s current status as favourite is evident in the latest betting markets, placing him ahead of names such as Des Buckingham, who recently guided Oxford United to promotion, and high-profile figures like Steven Gerrard. The latter has also been linked with the Cardiff vacancy, partly due to his previous collaboration with Allen at Rangers and his status as a Wasserman client.
Fan speculation has also swirled around Wales international Aaron Ramsey, although his intention to continue his playing career is likely to exclude him from serious consideration for the role. Other names such as Michael Beale, Tommy Elphick, and Ruben Selles also populate the odds list, reflecting both the broad interest in the vacancy and the club’s methodical approach.
As supporters keenly await news from the Cardiff City Stadium, the club stands at an important crossroads. With a return to the Championship a clear objective, the choice of manager could set the tone for seasons to come. The board’s preference for a steady pair of hands, with Evatt now leading the way, reflects both an ambition for success and a keen desire to avoid the missteps of recent years.