'The specialist said, "Do you want to see your grandkids properly grow up?" He's given me an opportunity to extend my life' Steve Evans speaks to Henry Winter about his incredible seven stone weight loss journey

"Steve, try and get some weight off. It might stop you getting the job you deserve. You're gifted, you could go a long way, (to) this level."

"When it's a stressful time, it won't be the first time I've come in here, bottle of red, finished in half an hour before bed. I've never been an excessive drinker; I've been excessive eating stupid stuff. Go and watch a game, get in the car, where's open? Cambridge? I know a chip shop there, it's famous. "McDonald's, Kentucky. After a while, I became oblivious to the weight. At clubs, the doctor or physios would say, Gaffer, you need to get some weight off.' My wife Sarah would often say, get this weight off'. And I'd say, I know, I know. Let me get through these next three games.' I've never been proud of it. I had to have a lifestyle change. You may like"

Sir Alex Ferguson told Steve Evans in 2011 that excess weight could limit his managerial prospects and advised him to lose weight. Evans weighed about 20½ stone and attributed the gain to a poor diet and stress-related eating, often stopping for fast food after matches and drinking a bottle of wine before bed. Evans was known for a flamboyant persona but recognized the need for change. After losing his job at Rotherham in March, Evans and his wife Sarah reassessed his options and he committed to a lifestyle change, ultimately regaining control of his life.

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