Former Sheffield United star isn't going to Bolton Wanderers and he never was
and live on Freeview channel 276
However, it’s the speculation that subsequently arose that forced Bolton boss Ian Evatt to call off the favour he was doing for ‘Jags’.
Evatt revealed that the 38-year-old who was released by United at the end of the season, had asked if he could train with Bolton to keep hiself fit as he earches for a new club for next season.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThat wish was granted, but because many fans felt that Jagielka may now sign for the club, Evatt told Bolton News that the former England international had ‘moved on’.
“Jags asked me if he could come in pre-season and it was a yes, because I always like to help out good, experienced pros to try and stay in the game,” Evatt said . “And it would have been just that.
“But then we got the media fanfare, the expectancy that fans seemed to have for signing that sort of player, it’s just no good for anybody.
“It’s certainly no good for the group, who we’re trying to hide from all the distractions and sideshows. We decided to move on.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe Bolton manager added: “It was absolutely only for fitness. He wants to stay in the game, which was great, at 38 having the passion to play is fantastic, but as I said, we have recruited a different demographic of player this summer. Everyone can see what we are trying to do and he doesn’t really fit in with what we are trying to do.
“We were literally giving him a chance to stay fit and sharp, ready for people who came along that wanted to sign him.”
Jagielka said upon his departure from United for a second time, that he would have liked to have stayed on at Bramall Lane.
“I was hoping to extend my stay for another year,” Jagielka admitted last month on Football Heaven.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“When I found out I wouldn’t be kept on we didn’t have a manager. That’s changed now [with the appointment of Slavisa Jokanović] which is a positive thing for the club, but I knew a couple of weeks ago the journey was going to end and it was an emotional time.”