Favourites to become new Blackpool boss with Neil Critchley sacked and interim manager named

We take a look at the favourites to become new Blackpool boss with Neil Critchley sacked and an interim manager named.

The 45 year old’s time at Blackpool comes to an end once again, this time two games into the 24/25 League One season following defeats to newly promoted side Crawley and Stockport.

This had been his second spell with the club in May 2023 having led the club to promotion to the Championship two years prior.

And last season, they had missed out on a play-off spot by three points, finishing 8th in the League One table.

The Club can confirm Richard Keogh will take charge of the side on an interim-basis, starting with this weekend’s trip to Cambridge United.

— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) August 21, 2024

CLUB STATEMENT:

Blackpool Football Club can announce that Neil Critchley has today been relieved of his duties as Head Coach. Assistant Head Coach Mike Garrity has also left the Club.

Owner Simon Sadler said:

“Neil’s dedication, commitment and tireless work ethic have been a real credit to the Club. Despite his best efforts over the past 12 months, there have been a number of disappointing results and performances which means that a change is needed to give the Club every possible chance of competing at the top end of the division this season.

“I will always be thankful for Neil’s wonderful efforts in guiding the Club to promotion to the Championship in 2021, and then comfortably keeping us in the division the following season.

“I and all at the Club wish Neil and Mike the very best for the future.”

The Club can confirm Richard Keogh will take charge of the side on an interim-basis, starting with this weekend’s trip to Cambridge United.

FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW BLACKPOOL BOSS:

(BetVictor – 21st August)
Ryan Lowe – 2/1
Scott Lindsey – 6/1
Brian Barry Murphy – 10/1
Michael Appleton – 10/1
Richard Keogh – 12/1
Pete Wild – 12/1
Anthony Barry – 12/1
Alex Neil – 12/1
Liam Manning – 12/1
Gary Rowett – 16/1
Grant McCann – 16/1
Gareth Ainsworth – 16/1
Paul Cook – 16/1
Mike Marsh – 20/1
David Healy – 20/1
Andrew Crofts – 20/1
Damien Duff – 20/1
Dean Holden – 20/1
Derek McInnes – 20/1
Frank Lampard – 20/1
John O’Shea – 20/1
Mark Hughes – 20/1
Nicky Butt – 20/1
Stephen Bradley – 20/1

Critchley said after defeat to Stockport, per Blackpool Gazette: “If you don’t win games of football then the pressure builds, but you’ve got to keep a sense of perspective on things, it’s two games.

“We’re very disappointed with the result today, but we’ve got to come back in on Monday and show that positive reaction to go to Cambridge to get a win and get off the mark.

“For large periods of the game, there wasn’t much between the two teams. If you had stopped the game after 65 minutes, I’d be 50/50 who was the better team, but after they scored we didn’t do well enough and we’ve got to do more when we go behind.

“It’s not the result or the performance we wanted, particularly in the second half. I didn’t mind us in the first half, we had some good passages of play, and there was a clear penalty that wasn’t given.

“They sat a bit deeper after the break, and we lost belief in what we were doing, and because of that we lost control of the game. We’ve got to find better solutions. We’ve got to produce better quality, and more opportunities in and around the box, play forward more and think forward more.

“There was little between the two teams until the first goal went in, but the goals were really poor. We let a player that was right-footed travel 30 or 40 yards across the box to score.

“I didn’t think our reaction was good enough, and that’s ultimately what’s cost us the game. We didn’t show enough courage in who we are, and didn’t play with enough belief and personality.

“We went within ourselves, and that’s when you need to show more courage – that was a disappointing aspect. We didn’t do enough from an attacking point of view, we didn’t do enough with the ball; we’ve got to do a lot better.

“At half time at 0-0, I didn’t foresee that scoreline coming, but it’s happened, and we have to take responsibility for it and show the right reaction on Monday.”

Neil Critchley’s thoughts on today’s game.

🍊 #UTMP pic.twitter.com/JXUQzSl6Bp

— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) August 17, 2024

Here’s how fans reacted amid the favourites to become new Blackpool boss with Neil Critchley sacked and interim manager named…

@HereLiesJeff: Wish him all the best. Can’t ever doubt how much he loved the fans and his passion. Just hasn’t clicked this 2nd time around and the stubbornness in formation hasn’t helped. Not sure I’d of sacked him only 2 games into the season but our fan base has been calling for it…

@jonnyb7713: Thanks for everything Critch, was just time for a change 🍊🍊

@MisterP_innit: Well done SS, good to see that things weren’t allowed to drag on

@_alexmason11: Hurts a bit… one of the best I’ve seen at Bloomfield Road that first spell, but the last season or 2 has been a disaster.

@Steve_nay: Finally a show of intent!

@craigrush39: It’s sad when any manager gets sacked, but it’s the right thing at the right time. The second coming of Neil Critchley wasn’t what any of us hoped it would be. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours

@Nathaniel_Chas: The right decision, should have been done towards back end of last season but here we are.

@LA1_Seasider: A good man and well qualified coach but sometimes it’s not the right fit.

@MDParkerBFC: OMG! There is a god!

@bfc_areback: For the best

@igardnerjnr: I knew it was coming but didn’t think it would be this quick

@olliecmusic: Well done Mr Sadler 👏🏼🍊

@Brett33D: Didn’t expect it but the right decision 👍

@poolWill1980: Loved him the first time round. Just hasn’t worked for him this time out. Thank you Neil. Keogh and Dobbie in – back to 4-4-2 please and let’s fcking goooooooo!!! 🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊

@Emmabfcnelson: Yes brilliant news, can we get an attack minded manager now

@ColeCollinge7: Well done for making the correct decision, now don’t mess up the replacement 👏🏽

@RyanBFC18: EI EI EI OH UP THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE WE GO

@TheRealAlderado: Thanks, Critch. But I think it’s for the best now.

@pinny65ian: Perhaps now this team can fulfil its true potential. Let them loose to play attacking football like they want to.

@AlexHoltyy: Leaving us the first time round was the worst decision he ever made for his career. I didn’t complain when he came back but It’s rare to see it work out a 2nd time. Wish him all the best but I’m happy in the decision.

@Chrisharrison2: The right decision. Wish him all the best tho after what he has done for us in the past. Shame he couldn’t recreate his first spell with us. But we move on now

@JamesHammondd: Fair play, please give Dobbie a game or 2 to show his worth 🙏