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On 24 June 2020, [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] made an official approach to Barrow for Evatt to become their head coach, and Barrow demanded £250,000 compensation should he make the move.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/18539586.bolton-wanderers-make-official-approach-barrow-boss-ian-evatt/|title=Bolton Wanderers make their move for Barrow boss Ian Evatt|website=The Bolton News}}</ref> Two days later, Barrow rejected Bolton's bid for his services, stating it was below the £250,000 they had asked for.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/blackpool-fc/barrow-reject-offer-well-below-buy-out-fee-bolton-wanderers-blackpool-legend-ian-evatt-2896223|title=Barrow reject offer 'well below' buy-out fee from Bolton Wanderers for Blackpool legend Ian Evatt|website=www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk}}</ref> On 29 June, Bolton and Barrow agreed on compensation and Bolton began discussing personal terms with Evatt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/18548743.bolton-strike-compensation-deal-barrow-manager-ian-evatt/|title=Wanderers set to appoint Ian Evatt as new boss after striking compensation deal|website=The Bolton News}}</ref> Evatt's appointment at Bolton was confirmed on 1 July 2020.<ref name="BBC-01Jul2020">{{cite news |title=Ian Evatt: Bolton Wanderers name Barrow manager as new head coach |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53255318 |access-date=1 July 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 July 2020}}</ref> His first action as Bolton head coach was to give a new contract to recently released [[Ali Crawford]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/july/-ali-crawford-signs-two-year-deal-with-wanderers/|title=Ali Crawford signs Two-Year Deal with Wanderers|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}}</ref> and his first signing was the leading goalscorer of the [[2019–20 EFL League Two]] season, [[Eoin Doyle]].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/53367178 |title= Eoin Doyle: Bolton Wanderers sign ex-Swindon Town striker on three-year deal |date=10 July 2020 |work=[[BBC Sport]]}}</ref> His first competitive match as head coach came on 5 September, a 2–1 home defeat against [[Bradford City AFC|Bradford]] in the first round of the [[EFL Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/september/report-bolton-wanderers-1-2-bradford-city/|title=Report: Bolton Wanderers 1–2 Bradford City|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}}</ref> Evatt lost his first four competitive matches in charge, the first time this has happened to a Bolton manager/head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/18733744.colchester-united-2-bolton-wanderers-0---ian-evatts-match-reaction/|title=MATCH REACTION: Colchester United 2 Bolton Wanderers 0|website=The Bolton News}}</ref> This had Bolton in their lowest-ever league position in their history, 21st in League Two.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/18737378.really-can-work---bolton-boss-ian-evatt-makes-case-new-thinking/|title="It really can work" - Ian Evatt makes case for new thinking at Wanderers|website=The Bolton News}}</ref> After losing the first five matches of the season, his first win came on 3 October against [[Harrogate Town F.C.|Harrogate Town]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/october/report-harrogate-town-1-2-bolton-wanderers/|title=Report: Harrogate Town 1–2 Bolton Wanderers|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}}</ref> Bolton's form soon turned around and after winning five matches in a row, Evatt was named [[EFL League Two Manager of the Month]] for November 2020.<ref name=BoltonMOTM>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/december/ian-evatt-wins-november-manager-of-the-month/|title=Ian Evatt wins November Manager of the Month|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}}</ref> After the departure of [[director of football]] Tobias Phoenix on 11 December,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/18939167.bolton-wanderers-football-chief-tobias-phoenix-steps-role/|title=Head of Football Operations Tobias Phoenix exits Bolton Wanderers|website=The Bolton News}}</ref> Evatt's role was changed from head coach to manager.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2020/december/ian-evatts-job-title-changes-to-manager/|title=Ian Evatt's Job Title Changes To Manager|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}}</ref> After five wins and one draw in February 2021, Evatt was named Manager of the Month again for the second time that season.<ref name=FebMOTM>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/march/manager-and-defender-win-sky-bet-monthly-awards/|title=Manager and Defender win Sky Bet monthly awards|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}}</ref> This was followed up the following month with five wins and one draw, which saw him win March's Manager of the Month award as well.<ref name=MarMOTM>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/april/wanderers-manager-wins-second-successive-manager-of-the-month-award/|title=Ian Evatt wins second successive Manager of the Month award|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}}</ref> Bolton finished the season in third place after a 4–1 win against [[Crawley Town F.C.|Crawley Town]] on the final day of the season, which was enough to secure automatic promotion to [[EFL League One|League One]].<ref name=BoltonPromotion>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56953454 BBC Sport: Bolton promoted after win at Crawley]</ref>
On 28 May 2021, Evatt signed a new three-year contract with the club.<ref>[https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2021/may/wanderers-manager-ian-evatt-signs-new-contract/ BWFC: "Wanderers Manager Ian Evatt signs new contract"]</ref> On 14 November 2021, during a charity match in which the Bolton first-team played a match against a team of Bolton legends — the match helping to raise money for the mother of Bolton player [[Gethin Jones (
On 2 February 2023, it was revealed that Evatt had been given [[Share (finance)|shares]] in Football Ventures (Whites) Ltd, the company that own Bolton Wanderers, making him one of minority owners of the club itself.<ref name=share/> On 2 April 2023, Evatt managed Bolton to 4–0 win against [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] in the [[2023 EFL Trophy final]].<ref name=EFLT23>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65088981|title=Bolton Wanderers 4–0 Plymouth Argyle|work=BBC Sport }}</ref> A month later, he signed a new three year contract.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65484167|title=Ian Evatt: Bolton Wanderers boss signs new three-year contract with League One club|work=BBC Sport }}</ref> His third season in charge saw Bolton qualify for the [[2023 English Football League play-offs#League One|play-offs]]. They were defeated by [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]] in the semi-finals.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65567452 Barnsley 1–0 Bolton Wanderers (Agg 2–1): Tykes to face Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday in final]</ref>
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