Bingo wrote: ↑Sat Jun 27, 2020 10:33 pm
If Evatt doesn't want the job he needs to say so, I appreciate that he can't say this every time a job is vacant. He is obviously interested otherwise there would be little point in these negotiations with Bolton. Anyone who believes Bolton haven't talked to his agent and he is favourable is naive
Not really realistic unless he is desperate. A bit like getting Arsene Wenger to admit that a penalty given against Arsenal was correct or that a sending off was valid. Although I have to admit that if you asked Evatt's mentor Ian Holloway those questions you'd probably get a straight answer. But Holloways honesty whilst loved by many is also considered misplaced by many others who would rather he say nothing and not risk getting into trouble.
In Evatts current position saying nothing is what you do. Even if he is personally committed to going to Bolton he needs to leave a remain option on the table in case negotiations break down or something happens that requires him to stay. You let your agent earn his commission, to share in your glory if it works out and take the blame if it doesn't.
There is a tactic that the BAFC board could adopt if it were convinced the relationship with IE was so far gone that he wasn't coming back under any circumstances. The "nuclear" option would be to force Evatt into the open and declare his intentions by simply cutting off contact with Bolton perhaps even quoting specific areas of dispute as to why this has been done. It would probably not be that difficult to produce what at face value at least would be a compelling critique of Bolton's current capabilities and deficiencies whilst at the same time dwelling on their predatory behaviour. Effectively this would undermine the negotiating process but it would not change the legal position.
In those circumstances Evatt would have to either walk or stay. But even if he stayed the relationship with the Board would probably be beyond repair. Which is why they remain sat at the negotiating table.