SAM Hird has turned down the chance to take charge of York City.

The Wanderers first team coach was approached by the National League club this week and had been made the bookmakers’ favourite for the job.

Ian Evatt confirmed today, however, that the highly rated 35-year-old has rejected the chance to succeed John Askey and will stay with Bolton.

“I have had a conversation with Sam today, he was approached by York, spoke with their chairman and has politely declined, said he was extremely happy here,” Evatt told The Bolton News.

“He is pleased to be a part of what we are doing and loves being a part of this football club, thinks the world of the way we do things.

“He politely declined their approach and that speaks volumes for what we are doing here, also that the word is getting around.”

Evatt says Hird has become a key man in his backroom team, and he is delighted that the former Chesterfield and Leeds United defender will be remaining at the UniBol.

“Sharon (Brittan) is an excellent mentor to me, and she said to me at the very start ‘make sure you surround yourself with excellent people’. I told her she was obviously doing the same,” he said.

“Sam, Peter (Atherton), Matt (Gilks), the fitness team, they are all a huge part of this. And I am blessed to be the face of this football club alongside Sharon, but behind myself and Sharon is an excellent and hard-working team who are very good at their jobs.

“What we have done is build on that excellence in every department which helps us function on a day-to-day basis. We’re a family and it means you are doing the right thing if people are looking to take your staff. It says to me that we are on the right track.”

News of the Minstermen’s interest materialised at the start of the week and the club say they hope to make a permanent appointment within the next few days.

Evatt said he was happy to be upfront about the interest and he believes that both the club and Hird can take it as a compliment.

“The biggest thing for me is that there is clarity and honesty, and Sam had that conversation with me, told me everything, there is nothing underhand here. I am so pleased for him that he has got some recognition,” he said.

“Him, Peter, Lewis – all my staff – they are fantastic people, and I can’t speak highly enough of them and it is the nature of this industry that sooner or later someone will be targeted.

“If you are doing things progressively, correctly, then people are going to try and get a bit of that and take it. I am over the moon for him, but I am also over the moon that he is staying.”