Connect with us

Blackpool

Neil Critchley speaks for the first time after being reappointed by Blackpool

Neil Critchley speaks for the first time after being reappointed by Blackpool, who were relegated back to the League One.

The 44-year-old managed to guide the Seasiders up to the second tier trough the League One playoffs in 2021 before controversially leaving the club in June 2022 to join Steven Gerrard’s staff at Aston Villa.

He then had a 12-game stint in charge at QPR this season, but only picked up one win, and was sacked in February.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Blackpool Football Club is delighted to announce the reappointment of Neil Critchley as Head Coach on a four-year deal.  

The 44-year-old returns to Bloomfield Road 12 months on from his departure, where he has since spent time at both Aston Villa in the Premier League and Queens Park Rangers in the Sky Bet Championship.

Initially joining the Club in March 2020, Critchley enjoyed tremendous success in his first spell at Blackpool, leading the Seasiders to promotion to the Sky Bet Championship in his first full season with the Club, whilst also developing a strong and successful footballing philosophy.

Stephen Dobbie will return to his role within the Development Squad as Senior Professional Development Phase Coach, following his time in charge of the first-team. 

On his appointment, Neil Critchley said: 

“It feels special to be back and I’m thoroughly looking forward to the task that lies ahead.

“Looking back on my departure 12 months ago, I didn’t handle that in the manner I should have done. I enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Simon previously, and I thank him for this wonderful opportunity to come back to this special football club.

“I look at the Club now, and it has had a bump in the road but there is no reason why we can’t get back on track. It’s up to us – and I include myself in that – to reset and become who we were as a group again. 

“Collectively, the staff, players and supporters have shared some special moments together, and I know we all want to experience that again, which is what we will be working towards.”

Owner Simon Sadler said: 

“After an extensive recruitment process, which included many interviews with various candidates over the past few weeks, I kept coming back to Neil as being the right man to take us forward.

“He gained promotion with us, kept us in the Championship in our first season back in the division and has an impressive record when it comes to developing players. He was the clear front-runner for the position and I hope everyone gets behind him and the squad as we push to get back into the Championship.”

“I’d also like to thank Stephen Dobbie for stepping up for the final six matches of the season. He did a wonderful job in what were challenging circumstances, and I am confident he will have a successful career in first-team management in the years to come.”

This is how fans reacted as Neil Critchley speaks for the first time after being reappointed by Blackpool…

@53BFC53: I hope the regret in how he left us last year, provides even more motivation to put things right. We loved you before Neil, we can again. Now it is vital that Simon backs him well, another bad start is quite simply not an option. 🍊🍊🍊

@mamcgarry: I was gutted when he left and, like the club, I never got over it. Last season was a real depressing time. I’ll back Neil to give the club the lift it needs. Welcome back 🍊

@BH2211FC: Oh well, we just have to get behind him, as long as Dobbie is on the coaching staff in some form. Also an experienced number two is needed as well.

@joeyrex: Past success is no guarantee for further success and he’s had a very bad year with barely any wins. Whoever was appointed has my backing and that includes Critch but it’s a slightly lazy appointment. He did very well last time let’s hope he can replicate that.

@Josh_brwd: So we’re in the exact same position we were in 3 years ago. Atleast he’s acknowledged the way in which he departed. Hopefully we can regain the feel good factor we had with him before he left.

@TangerineCMS53: Needs a strong assistant manager as previous spell showed the difference when Calderwood/McCall were involved and the other periods where they weren’t. Dobbie needs to be kept involved as the link between first team and dev squad. We can’t afford to lose him

@BramTheBpoolFan: So long as Dobbie is given the position he deserves (obviously not head coach) then this is ok. I expect NC will say something about what happened…. He needs to get his head out the clouds and be here LONG TERM. 🤔🍊

@IanBrookes3: Only time will tell as to whether its the right appointment, we have to get behind him no matter what your feelings are, he’s our manager. I genuinely hope he is successful in his second spell. #UTMP

@Ty1erB4r: Haha 4 year deal we will have a new manager next year again 😉

@clacher_james: Announce promotion

@Connor52921624: Gerrards water boy btw

@SalisburyDan: Don’t let him bring his mates back with him. Get an experienced assistant appointed

@RMCoaching2: Don’t know how I feel about this, I would have been happy with Dobbie, I suppose that Chritchley needs to re-build his reputation so hopefully he will be looking to show his talent, but just feel it won’t work.

@Jonty72FY1: Welcome again. I’m happy with this tbf considering other options out there. Fingers crossed we can repeat what he achieved in his first couple of seasons. 🧡👍🙏

@John_Greene10: Welcome back but I swear to god

@_mross94: Here’s hoping Gerrard doesn’t get a new job, otherwise we’re back at square one.

@MarkBirtles: Can’t beat loyalty 👌

@NatHoughton: The correct choice. Arguably the best possible CV for the job let alone that we could attract. Let’s fucking go 🍊

@_GeorgeGlass:
Did I call you a snake and a rat that I’d never want to see manage this team again? Yes.
Am I a hypocrite for being excited that you’re back? Yes.
Do I care? NO.
WELCOME BACK NEIL CRITCHLEY. 🍊

@ryandunbar1996: In two minds…. yes he’s a snake BUTTTTT he left because the board didn’t back him…what makes him think it’ll be any different this time? It’ll be difficult but as much as we think of him as the snake that he is… we need to back Him

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Blackpool