Blackpool have re-appointed Neil Critchely as Head Coach on a four-year contract.
Critchley first took charge of Blackpool in March 2020 and led the Tangerines to promotion via League One Play-Offs the following season, before he eventually helped the club to a solid 16th-placed Championship finish in 2021-22 season.
Aston Villa subsequently swooped to appoint him as assistant manager to Steven Gerrard in June 2022, which saw Michael Appleton appointed as his replacement at Blackpool whilst Critchley ultimately spent just four months at Villa after he was dismissed following Gerrard’s sacking.
Appleton, Mick McCarthy then Stephen Dobbie were all unable to build upon Critchely’s success as the Tangerines suffered relegation back to League One, after two seasons back in the second-tier.
Club bosses have consequently decided to re-appoint Critchley as Head Coach on a four-year contract until June 2027, with hopes of achieving instant promotion back to the Championship next season.
Speaking about his decision to return to Bloomfield Road, Critchely 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 [Sadler] previously, and I thank him for this wonderful opportunity to come back to this special football club.”
On rejoining the club as they return to League One, Critchley added: “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.”
Blackpool owner, Sadler added that he believed Critchley was the right appointment following “an extensive recruitment process,” in which he interviewed various candidates but kept believing that re-appointing Critchley was the best option.
Sadler added: “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.”
Sadler also confirmed that Dobbie would resume his role as Senior Professional Development Phase Coach, as he praised the ex Scottish footballer for delivering “a wonderful job in what were challenging circumstances,” whilst iterating that “he will have a successful career in first-team management in the years to come.”
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