Barrow AFC are on the hunt for a new manager after Ian Evatt’s departure for Bolton Wanderers was confirmed.

Evatt leaves Holker Street after two successful years in charge, during which he guided the Bluebirds back to the English Football League after 48 years of waiting.

His team became lauded in the National League for its superb, passing football that, allied with a strong work ethic from the team, allowed them to finish as champions and secure League Two football next season.

It is a division they will share with Bolton, but Evatt will be in the away dugout when they came to visit Barrow, as will assistant manager Peter Atherton and first team analyst Lewis Duckmanton, who have also left the club as part of the deal.

The Trotters had an initial approach for Evatt turned down last week as it fell short of the compensation fee - quoted in some quarters as around £250,000 - that the Bluebirds were after.

However, an agreement was reached on Monday and the 38-year-old’s appointment at Bolton was officially announced on Wednesday evening, with his new club hoping he can make a similar impact to the one he made at Barrow.

A club statement read: “We would like to thank the Bolton representatives for the professional manner in which they undertook the negotiations and their respect for the compensation clause within Ian’s agreement.

“Once Ian had expressed last Friday his desire to leave Barrow AFC we felt it only fair to honour our agreement with him.”

Chairman Paul Hornby said: “It’s always disappointing when someone decides to move on especially when they’ve had such a positive impact.

“Ian did a wonderful job over the time he was here and he leaves us with a blueprint and identity of how we want our team to play and a great group of players.

“We shouldn’t let his departure distract from a fantastic season and the massive opportunity promotion creates for this club going forward.”

Included in the agreement is a two-year embargo that confirms Bolton cannot make any approaches for any AFC players under contract.

Evatt said: ‘Bolton Wanderers is a fantastic football club with an incredible history and fanbase and this is a really exciting opportunity for us all. Hopefully I can bring a brand and an identity that people will enjoy watching – attacking and scoring goals is what we all want to see.

“We want to be challenging and competing for promotion at the top of the division and to see a packed University of Bolton Stadium."