Ian Evatt says Bolton Wanderers first team coach Sam Hird has turned down an approach from National League side York City as he is happy with the Whites.
Hird has been with Wanderers since last summer, joining the club as a coach and last season took charge of the club's reserves side. He has become a big part of Evatt's coaching staff at the Whites.
The 35-year-old was installed as the odds-on favourite for the job at York, following the departure of John Askey. Evatt confirmed that the former Barrow midfielder was approached by the Yorkshire club.
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However, Evatt revealed Hird has declined the approach made as he is happy at the University of Bolton Stadium. The Whites boss believes Hird turning down the offer speaks volumes of the work taking place at Bolton, but also the clarity and honesty of the relationship he has with his staff, as he was pleased for the coach that he achieved recognition but also that he is staying put.
He said: “I have had a conversation with Sam today, he was approached by York, spoke with their chairman and has politely declined, said he was extremely happy here.
“He is pleased to be a part of what we are doing and loves being a part of this football club, thinks the world of the way we do things.
“He politely declined their approach and that speaks volumes for what we are doing here, also that the word is getting around.
“Sharon (Brittan) is an excellent mentor to me and she said to me at the very start ‘make sure you surround yourself with excellent people’. I told her she was obviously doing the same.
“Sam, Peter (Atherton), Matt (Barrass), the fitness team, they are all a huge part of this. And I am blessed to be the face of this football club alongside Sharon, but behind myself and Sharon is an excellent and hard-working team who are very good at their jobs.
“What we have done is build on that excellence in every department which helps us function on a day-to-day basis. We’re a family and it means you are doing the right thing if people are looking to take your staff. It says to me that we are on the right track.
"The biggest thing for me is that there is clarity and honesty and Sam had that conversation with me, told me everything, there is nothing underhand here. I am so pleased for him that he has got some recognition.
“Him, Peter, Lewis (Duckmanton) – all my staff – they are fantastic people and I can’t speak highly enough of them and it is the nature of this industry that sooner or later someone will be targeted.
“If you are doing things progressively, correctly, then people are going to try and get a bit of that and take it. I am over the moon for him, but I am also over the moon that he is staying.”
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