Sudden twists sees Blackpool appoint ex-Pompey, Blackburn, Oxford, Lincoln manager Michael Appleton as their new boss ahead of 2022/23.
The 46-year-old, who replaces Neil Critchley, returns to Bloomfield Road for a second spell by signing a four-year deal, having previously managed them between 2012 and 2013.
On the 7th of November 2012, Appleton was brought in by Blackpool on a one-year rolling contract and his first game in charge was on the 10th of November 2012, a 2–2 draw at home to Bolton.
Appleton earned his first win as Blackpool manager on the 1st of December 2012, beating Peterborough 4–1 away from home, extending his unbeaten start to five games. He was in charge for a further six League games, of which he won one, drew three and lost two.
After his resignation, he became the shortest-serving Blackpool manager in their history, with just eleven league games under his belt.
Blackpool Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Appleton as Head Coach on a contract until June 2026. https://t.co/o0qKEJgNbR pic.twitter.com/VmbxaRM1ny
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) June 17, 2022
STATEMENT:
Blackpool Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Appleton as Head Coach on a contract until June 2026.
The 46-year-old returns to Bloomfield Road on the back of a three-year stint in charge at Lincoln City, where he played a key role, both on-and-off the pitch, in building and developing a young and talented squad.
Coming within 90 minutes of guiding Lincoln back to the second tier of English football for the first time in 60 years in 2021, Appleton managed just shy of 150 games with the Imps.
Prior to that, he held prominent coaching roles in the Premier League at Leicester City and West Bromwich Albion and achieved managerial success by leading Oxford United to a Sky Bet League One promotion, as well as consecutive EFL Trophy finals.
Owner Simon Sadler said:
“I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Michael back to Blackpool. I am very much looking forward to seeing what he can achieve during his second stint with us. Whilst success cannot be guaranteed, Ben, Brett, John and I are convinced that, after a thorough recruitment process, he’s the right man for us at this point in our journey.
“All of the prospective head coaches were strong candidates and we spent several hours with each to get to know them better. After debating their individual pros and cons, we were unanimous in our decision to choose Michael Appleton.”
🎥 You can hear more from new Head Coach Michael Appleton over on the official website now.
Login to your Seasiders Sign On account to watch:
⬇️https://t.co/GhqwhV0ty1— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) June 17, 2022
Michael Appleton added:
“I am absolutely delighted to be here. To be able to come back to the Club, with where the Club is at during this moment in time, after two really successful seasons, I can’t wait to get started.
“When I spoke to Simon, to Ben, John and Brett, you could clearly feel the energy in the room, and I think they felt that from me as well. This Club now feels like the right Club at the right time.
“The fans will certainly have seen glimpses of what I tried to do in my days at Lincoln. I want to play aggressive, forward-thinking football and we have certain things that we want from the players when we’re playing, dependent on opposition clearly. We just want to be exciting and get people off their seats.”
Matt Scrafton of the Blackpool Gazette said on Thursday: “Blackpool have denied reports suggesting they’ve offered the head coach job to Derby County assistant Liam Rosenior.
“Daily Telegraph have claimed the 37-year-old has turned the job down ‘as currently offered’, citing concerns over squad budget and training ground issues.”
Fans reacted as sudden twists sees Blackpool appoint ex-Pompey, Blackburn, Oxford, Lincoln manager Michael Appleton…
@OllieBfc2003: Am I disappointed & is it a huge step down from Critch? Yes. Will I fully get behind him in the stands? Of course.
@HarleyyThomas: Tell us we’re skint without telling us we’re skint
@SeasidersPod: FFS.
@BramTheBpoolFan: Absolutely gobsmacked. Wow just wow. Worst decision made since the Oystons were here. I Feel very sad, angry, bitter and disappointed by this. Plus I literally cannot believe how they haven’t listened to the fans here. @BlackpoolFC READ THESE COMMENTS PLEASE
@ColBwfc: Evatt, Blackpool. Ok. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 #BWFC #UTMP
@sgodfrey: Weird this is seen as a bad appointment, he was excellent for Oxford.
@joshuajamesgar4: For fucks sake
@Wrighty2211: You fucking what
@daveseasider: Good luck Michael
@cobyjwat06: No ambition whatsoever here gone for a manger who’s achieved nothing in his career
@MozzMeister: Hello @SkyBetLeagueOne
@kieran_holmes20: Will obviously get behind him but that’s a strange appointment. Thought the days were gone where we went for the cheapest option?
@bfcloj: Have to say I’m am disappointed. It was always going to be a tough season and I fear a bit more now. Hope I am proved wrong but we shall see.
@JPRCTweets: He – and our ownership – has changed a huge amount since he was with us last. Can understand concerns but interested to see what he’ll bring if he gets recruitment support (his Lincoln 20/21 team was superb). He deserves the opportunity to prove himself again with us IMO 👍
@BISONS1973: Awful decision simple as that. @BlackpoolFC
@ArealSeasider: Not looking forward to next season as much now but I’ll still be there
@J56Walsh: Be interesting to hear how the club are going to explain their decision, as it appears to be opposite to everything that Mansford described in his recent interview.
@BanjoHfuhruhur: BROKEN, but we soldier on… #Tangerine
@knownaspaul: Fantastic appointment. This will definitely give us the bounce we need to get those season tickets sold. Said nobody.
@stebee1: It all comes down to money in the end, not what the fans think or want, really hope I’m wrong but this seems like a dreadful decision at a time when we appeared to be moving forward, now we are going backwards 🍊🍊
@bardenblade: 4 year deal unbelievable. Yes we will get behind him but how long is he really here for? Did side shift us last time.
@Emmabfcnelson: Thought sadler was better than this, obviously not, he knows how fans felt about appleton but appointed him anyway. It stinks and extremely unpopular. Dreading next season, shit football, low crowd, relegation, MASSIVE backward step.
@KevWhitsey: They have just lost the feel good factor. No point getting a new stand with no fans in it watching league one football. Simon Sadler doesn’t know what we’re after.

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