Neil Critchley has left his role as manager at Blackpool to join Aston Villa as assistant manager to Steven Gerrard.
Critchley’s decision to join Villa comes 24 hours after Michael Beale chose to depart his role as assistant manager at Villa to take up a permanent managerial position at QPR.
Critchley first arrived at Blackpool in March 2020 and proceeded to guide the Tangerines to promotion via League One Play-Offs in his first full season in charge, before consolidating the team’s place back in the Championship this season with a 16th placed finish.
Speaking with pride at Critchley’s “professional” decision to depart Bloomfield Road, Blackpool owner Simon Sadler commented: “Neil has been a consummate professional ever since arriving at Blackpool and really bought into what this Club and Town are all about.
“He has built up strong relationships with the staff, players and supporters and made some special memories for us all.
“Naturally, we are disappointed to lose him, but thank him for all that he has achieved during his time at Bloomfield Road and wish him well in the Premier League with Aston Villa.”
Sadler also iterated that the club will now commence plans to appoint a new manager in due course as soon as they can find “… the best possible appointment to continue taking this great Club of ours forward.”
Villa meanwhile released a short statement confirming Critchley as Beale’s replacement, which read: “Aston Villa is pleased to announce the appointment of Neil Critchley as Assistant Head Coach.”
Critchley previously used to coach within Liverpool’s Academy since joining the Merseyside club in 2013, in which he primarily coached the Under-18s and Under-23s squads throughout his time at Anfield.
The 43 year-old also twice took charge of the senior team during 2019-20 season, of which his first match saw the Reds lose 5-0 at Villa in the Quarter-Finals of that season’s Carabao Cup, due to majority of squad playing in 2019 FIFA Club World Cup under manager – Jurgen Klopp.
Critchley then took charge of Liverpool’s Fourth Round replay victory over Shrewsbury at Anfield in 2019-20 FA Cup, due to the fixture falling during the Premier League’s winter break which meant that Jurgen Klopp and the first-team squad were all on holiday.
Leave a Reply