WANDERERS have confirmed the exit of head of football operations, Tobias Phoenix.

The Bolton News understands Phoenix has not been present at the club for a number of weeks but a statement released by the club this evening explained he has now stepped down from his role.

Wanderers chairman Sharon Brittan thanked him for his work over the last 10 months.

She said: “Tobias has made a big contribution to the club since joining in February including his involvement in the appointment of Ian Evatt. He has also been instrumental in shaping our football operations and we thank him for his hard work.

“At the time Tobias joined we could not have envisaged the impact which the pandemic would have on the club and we have continually had to assess the staff structure during this time. We wish Tobias every success in the future.”

Phoenix added: “I’m proud of the contribution I’ve made at the club over the summer and I would like to thank Sharon and the board for the opportunity to help steer this great football club. I look forward to seeing the club have success in the future.”

The former Macclesfield Town director of football was appointed in early February with his job description billed as “leading the club’s overarching football strategy from the academy to the first team.”

Phoenix, who had also previously worked as an executive advisor to former Macclesfield Town boss Sol Campbell, played a leading role in Wanderers’ recruitment during lockdown and also had a hand in bringing manager Ian Evatt and his backroom staff in from Barrow.

But with the January transfer window fast approaching and the restructure of the academy at Lostock now almost completed, it became clear that Phoenix’s role has become significantly scaled back in recent weeks.

He was not present in the directors' box for either of the last two home games and plans for futue recruitment are now understood to be squarely in the hands of manager, Ian Evatt.

Phoenix proved to be a controversial figure among the Bolton supporters - and his relationship with previous manager Keith Hill also appeared a frosty one.

Speaking at Evatt's unveiling as 'head coach' in the summer, Phoenix believed that people had got the wrong idea about his role.

“Football has changed,” he said. “The days of a manager coming into the training ground and saying ‘I want that wall knocked over and rebuilding there’ are long gone.

“Our take is different. I have seen a few things in the media, and I don’t do social media, thank God, but different people have got different versions of what this director of football/head coach role looks like.

“When I was in my meeting with Peter Kenyon I was asked what job title I wanted. I won’t give you the answer, because it isn’t suitable to air, but the title is absolutely irrelevant.

“What is relevant is understanding the project, understanding the expectation, knowing my role. The actual title on the door is completely irrelevant.

“There are plenty of people who have a pre-conceived perception of what my role is, and what Ian’s is, but there’s no manual. What’s important is the dynamic between him and I and the obvious synchronisation of how we’d like football played at the University of Bolton Stadium, the type of people and footballers we want to see in our building."