Top six favourites to become new Blackpool manager as they sack their head coach

The top six favourites to become new Blackpool manager is revealed as they sack their head coach Michael Appleton this Wednesday afternoon.

John Percy first confirmed the news of Appleton’s departure at Bloomfield Road, with the club sitting 23rd in the Championship table with 26 points from 27 games played and are three points from safety.

He lasted just seven months, in a second stint, but leaves with his side 10 without a win in the league.

Blackpool have also picked up just one win since October – the surprise thrashing to knock Premier League side Nottingham Forest out of the FA Cup third round.

Club Statement: Michael Appletonhttps://t.co/hGTvAGUH6a pic.twitter.com/evJNN6AzW9

— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) January 18, 2023

CLUB STATEMENT:

Blackpool Football Club has today relieved Michael Appleton of his duties as Head Coach.

Assistant Head Coach David Kerslake will also be leaving with Michael.

The Club would like to thank Michael and David for their efforts during their time at Bloomfield Road and wish them all the best for the future.

The Club hope to be able to announce a new Head Coach in the coming days.

– STATEMENT ENDS – 

Michael Appleton said after a 2-0 defeat at Watford that his side had to be better at taking opportunities when in good positions.

“The performance was fine, it’s fine margins,” Appleton said.

“I think the frustration from our point of view is when we get opportunities in the opposition’s box, the chance to get the shot away or make a pass or make a cross, too many times today we hit the first man, defenders get blocks and you can’t bypass those moments.

“Those are key moments in the game, especially when you’re against a side with the quality that Watford have got, you have to take those opportunities and we didn’t. Going into the games for the next two months or so, if we get into those areas again with the types of players that we’ve got, when they get a little bit fitter and a little bit sharper, you’d like to think we’ll take those opportunities.”

“The first goal is crucial, we’ve spoken about it time and time again. It doesn’t matter what level you’re at, you knew it would be a difficult one if they got the first goal, with the momentum they get behind them,” Appleton added.

“But I didn’t think we panicked as such, there’s a bit of frustration at how we conceded the goal, a little bit of carelessness on our part, we could’ve been a little bit cuter.

🎥 Hear from Michael Appleton following the defeat at Watford.

— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) January 14, 2023

“I still feel that certainly, when I look back at the game and I will do on the way home, I’ll probably be slightly frustrated more than anything rather than disappointed in terms of players not giving me effort and working their socks off because they’re giving me that in abundance.

“It’s just that we’ve got certain parts of the game we have to be better in our ratio in terms of getting into areas and then creating chances, that’s got to be better.”

Appleton was brought into the club last summer after Neil Critchley departed to become Steven Gerrard’s assistant at Aston Villa.

TOP SIX FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW BLACKPOOL MANAGER

BetVictor (18 Jan, 3:00pm)
Neil Warnock – 10/1
Valerien Ismael – 12/1
Liam Manning – 8/1
Mark Warburton – 16/1
Steve Cotterill – 16/1
Russell Martin – 20/1

BetVictor (18 Jan, 3:30pm)
Chris Wilder – 2/1
Liam Manning – 6/1
Leam Richardson – 8/1
Grant McCann – 8/1
Neil Warnock – 10/1
Valerien Ismael – 12/1

BetVictor (18 Jan, 10:00pm)
Mick McCarthy – 1/6
Eric Ramsay – 6/1
Chris Wilder – 10/1
Richie Wellens – 12/1
Leam Richardson – 16/1
Mark Warburton – 20/1

With the top six favourites to become new Blackpool manager revealed as they sack their head coach, this is what fans have been saying…

@ryanmn84: Don’t hold anything against Michael as a person, he’s been through the mill the last few years but ultimately he wasn’t right for this job. Wish him the best. Now hopefully we get the next appointment right and fight for our place in this division! 🍊🙏

@Davew274: After taking 4 points from a possible 30 with zero wins this is the correct decision. Thank you @BlackpoolFC Now let’s get someone in who can give us an optimistic outlook rather than all the negativity that Appleton spouted…

@tangerinelisa: ‘In the coming days’ means they have someone lined up!

@BL4CK4TONI: Just wasn’t to be for Appleton in the end up, no hard feelings towards him, time to get out this mess!

@theliammmayo: Saturday is massive. Fucking everybody behind the lads now. Buzzing. Up the pool 🍊🍊🍊

@joeyrex: Never nice to see someone lose there job but it needed to happen. No win in 10 and things weren’t improving.

@ben_anthony10: Brillaint news for the club. Thank you Appleton for your efforts you did beat nobbers so you always will be in the good books

@martinparker8: Destined to fail from the get go, strange appointment… especially length of contract. Bold but correct decision to give him the boot. Lets get someone with proven championship experience 🤞🏼

@BillieLHindle: Thanks for the win over Preston Michael. But it just wasn’t a good fit and this was best for everyone. Best of luck in the future.

@IanBrookes3: Thank god S.S. has made the right decision even though its a little late in the season. Now I believe we have a chance to survive and Saturdays atmosphere will surely be a lot better. #UTMP

@SeanBooth99: Get Keogh back as player manager

@Garnsey82: Finally, the champagne will be out tonight 🍾🍾🍾

@DarrenC70736060: The right decision for all parties. Well done everyone involved 👍🏼 Sounds like Chrissy Wilder is lined up. Juicy bonus to keep us up 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

@ScribblerKeith: A statement that reaffirms Simon Sadler does have the best interests of BFC at heart and is going to do his utmost to keep us in this league. Fair play to him for effectively admitting the mistake. We now need someone who believes that BFC belong in this league. #UTMP

@lotts10: Happy Frigging Wednesday 👋 Right now there is no excuses, we’ve all got what we want. Let’s get behind the boys Saturday 🍊🧡 #UTMP

@theryansegal: I backed him from the beginning – but he made a rod for his own back far too often. We were going one way with his 2D, unsuited football, and like always, SS has come to the right decision. We move 🍊🧡.

@nickbellofbpl: About time. Please someone positive through the door who knows how to coach and manage a football team 🙏🏻