**Bolton caretaker boss Chris Evans has ruled out applying for the manager’s job on a permanent basis following the sacking of Gary Megson.**Former Wolves academy chief Evans and head coach Steve Wigley will take charge of the side until a permanent replacement is found for Megson.
“I will not be applying for this job. I have no intention of being the manager of Bolton Wanderers,” said Evans.
“But I am professional enough to do the best possible job I can in the time.”
Evans, who was recruited as assistant manager by Megson two years ago, added: “Steve and I come from similar backgrounds and have similar ideas. We have work to do and will continue to do that as best we can.”
Megson, 50, was sacked on Wednesday following Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Hull during which he was booed by sections of the Bolton crowd, frustrated at their position third from bottom of the Premier League.
Evans admitted: "I am surprised to be in this position. Gary called me yesterday with the news.
"I am disappointed as well as he gave me an opportunity to come here. But the decision was made by people over and above us.
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“For what it’s worth my choice would be Alan Curbishley”
Chowbent-Trotter
"The issues with regards to the fans does not help. But now is the time to look forward.
"I have a professional job to do. I am under contract and will do whatever job is asked of me to the best of my ability.
“The remit we have is that we act in the best interests of the club until a new manager comes in so we are well prepared for each game.”
Wigley will pick the team to face Lincoln City in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday as the search continues for a new manager.
Former Manchester City boss Mark Hughes, Stoke assistant boss Peter Reid, former Peterborough coach Darren Ferguson, ex-Wigan manager Paul Jewell and former West Ham boss Alan Curbishley, have all been suggested as possible candidates.
But Burnley manager Owen Coyle has played down speculation linking him with the vacant position.
Coyle, a former Wanderers player who was also linked with the Celtic job in the summer, said: "It is a fantastic job for someone out there but my focus is on doing the best against MK Dons this weekend.
“I have had speculation time and time again but, as always, I am concentrating on the job in hand.”
Megson took over at Bolton from Sammy Lee in October 2007, lifting the club out of relegation danger to finish 16th in his first season and guiding the club to a 13th-place finish in his only full campaign with the club in 2008-09.
He admitted he was deeply disappointed to leave, but said his dismissal was understandable, though he insisted his performance had been satisfactory.
“Despite all the stick I seem to have been getting from Bolton fans, I’ve been delighted that my peers and people who know football seem to say that it’s gone OK since I’ve been there,” he said.
"I don’t want to comment on the spectators. There are 10 clubs in a battle at the bottom of the table, but the other nine aren’t having to operate under the same conditions and circumstances we were.
"I’m bitterly disappointed to lose my job, but I don’t think the decision is unfair. They’ve made it in the best interests for the club.
“The club has made the decision and I have to accept it. You stand or fall by those decisions, but I hope Bolton can stay up.”