Blackpool have reappointed former boss Neil Critchley as head coach following their relegation from the Championship.
The 44-year-old took the Seasiders to the second tier through the League One play-offs in 2021 before leaving the club in June 2022 to join Steven Gerrard’s staff at Aston Villa.
He then had 12 games in charge of QPR this season, winning just once, and was sacked in February.
“It feels special to be back,” Critchley told the club’s website.
“Looking back on my departure 12 months ago, I didn’t handle it the way I should have. I enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Simon [Sadler – owner] ago, and I thank him for this wonderful opportunity to return to this special football club.
“I look at the club now, and it’s had a bump in the road but there’s no reason why we can’t get back on track. It’s up to us – and I include myself in that – to reset and be who we are we. became a group again.”
Stephen Dobbie will return to his role as senior professional development phase coach, following his interim role as first-team boss following Mick McCarthy’s departure in April.
Dobbie was unable to save Blackpool from the drop as they finished 23rd in the Championship.
Critchley’s impact in his first spell was quickly felt at Bloomfield Road, although it was his first managerial role working largely as a development coach at Liverpool.
He replaced Simon Grayson in March 2020 and steered the Tangerines to a mid-table finish in League One, rebuilding the squad and winning promotion the following season.
Jerry Yates scored 20 goals on his arrival from Rotherham, while Keshi Anderson and Marvin Ekpiteta both became first-team regulars, as a third-place finish and victory in the play-off final against Lincoln took Blackpool back to the Championship.
The signing of Everton winger Josh Bowler is another example of shrewd recruitment, as he played a key role in maintaining their Championship status, before joining Premier League side Nottingham Forest for a fee of approx. £4m last summer.
“After an extensive recruitment process, which included several interviews with various candidates over the last few weeks, I keep coming back to Neil as the right person to take us forward,” said the owner. that Simon Sadler.
“He got 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 is the clear front-runner for the position and I hope everyone can get 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 last six games of the season. He did a fantastic job in challenging circumstances, and I’m confident he’ll have a successful first-team management career at years to come.”
