Final thought on Critchley

Poolfan2

Poolfan2

Well-known member
Wonder how long most fans thought he would stay with us? I always thought that he would go sometime this year - not sure why - there was just something about him that lead me to think he'd done his job and would go at the first opportunity. Didn't surprise me to be honest but what about everyone else - how much longer did you think he'd stay?
 
I thought he would give it another season in the championship - see where we could get. Maybe he was worried about 2nd season bounce and jumped as soon as an opportunity presented? I too have moved on now.
 
Surprised he hasn’t done another season. Thought he’d get poached in December if we were doing well otherwise at least another season.
 
must admit it's a big shock to me. Although it never crossed my mind for any consideration in hindsight I thought he'd be here for at least another season. Think another "successful" season in the Championship would have been needed before other clubs came calling.
 
Still doesn't really make sense.
I don't for one minute buy in to the "moving on to Liverpool" theory. Gerrard is a million miles away from being ready to take over from Klopp, so NC has massively jumped the gun if that is his thinking.
I'm tending to side with the being totally in charge isn't for him, and he feels more comfortable coaching than being responsible for everything that comes with the job of being a manager at Championship level.

All in all thankful for what he achieved whilst with us, but there is no reason to think there isn't someone else out there who can take us forward.
 
One wider aspect, away from BFC that probably hasn't been mentioned on here yet, is what the League Managers Association make of it. They are always banging on about clubs being too quick with the axe and not giving managers long enough in the job.

A club has finally stuck its neck out and given one of its members a 4.5 year contract only for that member to quit 6 months in.

It doesn't really help the cause of managerial longevity if they are seen as just as likely to quit their own contracts as clubs are to sack them.

That the same manager was happy to take a role in League One one year, happy to sign an improved long term contract in the Championship the next and then still quit his job, is a clear signal to club chairman that the job is nowadays seen as a short term position by both sides in the equation.
 
BlackpoolsFinest said:
Still doesn't really make sense.
I don't for one minute buy in to the "moving on to Liverpool" theory. Gerrard is a million miles away from being ready to take over from Klopp, so NC has massively jumped the gun if that is his thinking.
I'm tending to side with the being totally in charge isn't for him, and he feels more comfortable coaching than being responsible for everything that comes with the job of being a manager at Championship level.

All in all thankful for what he achieved whilst with us, but there is no reason to think there isn't someone else out there who can take us forward.
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It seems you’re absolutely right.
 
The fact is that Critch has gone as 'Assistant' Manager with a old friend who knows his talents.
He's not the Manager. 'Will he just stick to coaching?
Also he's probably earning far more than he was a Pool.
 
BlackpoolsFinest said:
Still doesn't really make sense.
I don't for one minute buy in to the "moving on to Liverpool" theory. Gerrard is a million miles away from being ready to take over from Klopp, so NC has massively jumped the gun if that is his thinking.
I'm tending to side with the being totally in charge isn't for him, and he feels more comfortable coaching than being responsible for everything that comes with the job of being a manager at Championship level.

All in all thankful for what he achieved whilst with us, but there is no reason to think there isn't someone else out there who can take us forward.
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I think I, along with others, has mis-judged the moving to Liverpool theory.
Next stop is the England job. 😂
 
Big shock to me. I thought he would be here at least of couple years to see through the first phase of the Sadler project. I assumed he would eventually be poached rather than walk at the first opportunity to be with his mate.

Maybe he doesn't fancy being a number 1 but thats never come across to me in any of his interviews.

I just hope this doesn't put Sadler off his long term plans of steady improvement. If there's an assumption that everyone leaves asap then you could see why he might be reluctant to take the longer term view.
 
After stewing on it for a couple of days I'm starting to be a bit more positive about it. Let's be honest here, the end of the season was a disaster and yet Critch continuously kept saying he thought we were playing well. We looked like we had been found out and no plan B. Some of the players were obviously not happy, Yates is a prime example and I'm now choosing to look at this as a chance to reset. Get a new manager in with new ideas, other that the lump it forward to Madine we were doing most of last season, and let's see what happens. This could prove to be a good thing in the long run, who knows.
 
The fact he's left isn't a shock - I didn't think we'd be able to keep hold of him for the duration of his contract. But what is a shock is that he left for an assistant role. I assumed he'd leave for the manager's job at a bigger club, and I think he'll have done his reputation some damage if he actually wants to be a manager again.

But there are positives to take. We're in a much better position now to attract a good manager than we were two years ago, and for me players like Yates have been criminally underused. We often played two holding midfielders, when imo we saw our best performances of the season with only one. Also, the performance at Peterborough was a disgrace to be perfectly honest. Obviously that one game doesn't alter his overall achievements and I rate him highly, but it was very concerning.

Manager's come and go as do players. He did a good job, but there are numerous very good coaches out there that would be interested in coming to us if we've got the determination and ambition to bring them to the club. I believe some would be capable of doing even better.
 
Poolfan2 said:
Wonder how long most fans thought he would stay with us? I always thought that he would go sometime this year - not sure why - there was just something about him that lead me to think he'd done his job and would go at the first opportunity. Didn't surprise me to be honest but what about everyone else - how much longer did you think he'd stay?
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Said it numerous times he would be gone as soon as another club willing to pay more wages would approach him. Every time i said it i was told no hes loyal, hes not like that etc
 
CalderwoodCritchleyWon’t said:
I spoke to someone yesterday who is absolutely convinced that Critchley decided that being a number one and all the stresses and strains that come with it, wasn’t really for him. I’ve also been reassured (and this is someone who would know for sure) that NC was not interviewed by Blackburn.
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If this is the case those on here expecting us to unearth another gem of an assistant might be wrong.

As why would you go again to an assistant when one has just left you to go back to being an assistant after not fancying it, where you put so much faith in them. Plus the good thing he had going here.

He's done a great job so its still a win, but would the club do it again or go for someone who definitely wants to be a manager.....
 
JJpool said:
If this is the case those on here expecting us to unearth another gem of an assistant might be wrong.

As why would you go again to an assistant when one has just left you to go back to being an assistant after not fancying it, where you put so much faith in them. Plus the good thing he had going here.

He's done a great job so its still a win, but would the club do it again or go for someone who definitely wants to be a manager.....
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Because the vast majority of assistants step up and then, success depending, stay there.
Having someone step down, as NC has done is rare, such is the widespread disbelief of it happening.
 
I'm over it. He's moved on to new pastures for his own reasons which I suspect involve extra cash, S Gerard, less stress/limelight, and positioning himself for a bigger job down the line without the onus of having to produce results. Not worried as SS is the stabilising factor at Bloomfield rd. not Neil Critchley. Sadler is slowly assembling a very good backroom team, what is it, three? recent appointments behind the scenes. H'ell learn from the last two years and factor that in with the replacement 👍
 
thought hed be in it for three or four years maybe five, as a key part of the big project, building something a) sustainable, b) successful and c) creating a bigger personal legacy.

i suppose hes taken the option of a two or three year contract paying a couple of million, whereas if hed stayed he might in four years or so be looking at 3 or 4 million a year at a reasonably big club. Im still confused by his action and still smarting from them to be honest.
 
BlackpoolsFinest said:
Because the vast majority of assistants step up and then, success depending, stay there.
Having someone step down, as NC has done is rare, such is the widespread disbelief of it happening.
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But would you jump straight back into that sort of appointment after one has done well but then randomly left after loving it and having great things coming down the track like the TG.

You do need some continuity.
 
As I said on another thread, I’m over it, he’s gone and due to the manner of his departure, I’d rather not hear him trying to justify his fist pumping which clearly wasn’t real.
 
JJpool said:
But would you jump straight back into that sort of appointment after one has done well but then randomly left after loving it and having great things coming down the track like the TG.

You do need some continuity.
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I think it will be another similar appointment, another HC instead of a traditional manager.
NC is in a minority after doing what he has decided is best for him; the chances of it happening again are negligible.

Someone slotting in to what has already been put in place, most likely with a number two of his own choosing, makes far more sense than tearing up the whole set up and starting again.
 
My brother texted me and said Critch never seemed like the full package. My brother doesn't watch us anymore, or care much about football even, it was just a comment from a stand off viewpoint, but he's a good judge. And I think he's right, Critchley was a coach acting up as a manager, I think. He possessed a lot of the skills, but he really excels as a coach, and managing players, and enjoys that most, I suspect. He could get to the top as a coach, but I don't see him managing a really big club. Or country.

I'm not one for getting angry with managers who leave. Everyone has a right to make their own choices. It's not fair to give them grief for choosing to do something else. It's massively disappointing though, and my first reaction was anger. Til I calmed down.
 
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I think Critch doesn't like being a number one and the stress and sleepless nights that come with it. I don't think it is just jumping ship
for more money, as Stevie G is only on a two-year contract I would guess Critch will be on a similar length of contract, although probably more per year than at Blackpool. It is just a lot easier to be a number 2 earning £ 600,000, especially as Stevie G will probably have a similar career path to Steve Bruce who has managed to stumble from job to job over 20 years getting hired just because he is well known and an average manager at best, rather than actually winning anything.
I don't think that we will see Critch back as a number one anywhere now, he has tried being a number one and doesn't enjoy the job.
 
CalderwoodCritchleyWon’t said:
I spoke to someone yesterday who is absolutely convinced that Critchley decided that being a number one and all the stresses and strains that come with it, wasn’t really for him. I’ve also been reassured (and this is someone who would know for sure) that NC was not interviewed by Blackburn.
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As I said on another thread anyone is entitled to decide a job isn’t for them or they’re not up to it or just for more money. What I will never understand is why he signed a new contract and said he was delighted to do so. He then spouted all the guff about long term project, best fans, terrific owner, squad camaraderie etc. then did one as soon as a bigger club came along. I don’t carry grudges but I hope Villa are relegated and we batter them in the Championship.😜
 
I foolishly thought he’d be here for the long run, zero loyalty in football anymore but I thought we’d found ourselves a little hidden gem in that respect. I’ll always be grateful for what he achieved and we’re in a much stronger position now than we were when he joined but it’s still left a sour taste. Onwards and upwards though and I think we’ll get a good replacement
 
He got us into the Championship so he was a success

I just wish he hadnt done all the patting the chest fist pumping saying he wanted to be at the club years etc as he must know his own personality and knew he’d be off at the sniff of something a bit easier

He should have kept his distance been a cold fish etc

It sets a poor example to our young fans .

He’s symptomatic of current society where words just seem to be meaningless .

It’s a bit like when you hold a door for someone and they say “ thank you so much” as if you’ve saved their life or returned their lost pet or something

Absolute bollocks
 
I hope that the club has learned from this and that in future we won’t have Mansford fawning all over the new “Critch” like he did with “Critch”. Let’s have less naivety and a bit of separation between what the board wants to achieve and proper support to the head coach avoiding the sort of love in that makes the coach a bit too comfortable and makes no difference anyhow as to whether they stay or go.
 
Matesrates said:
As I said on another thread, I’m over it, he’s gone and due to the manner of his departure, I’d rather not hear him trying to justify his fist pumping which clearly wasn’t real.
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How does him leaving mean fist pumping after a win many months ago wasn't real?

He loved the club and the rapport, he's just decided to go back to a number 2.

Disappointing to not get a statement but would it make it better?

Read scraftons article.
 
JJpool said:
How does him leaving mean fist pumping after a win many months ago wasn't real?

He loved the club and the rapport, he's just decided to go back to a number 2.

Disappointing to not get a statement but would it make it better?

Read scraftons article.
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Fist pumping fine JJ but patting the badge and saying you want to stay for many years and you are doing xyz then leaving a few months later is different .
 
everyone who as supported ,bfc over the last half a century or more ,will simply say get over it we have seen it all before ,but always bounce back, we are the mighty, as for critchley ,he is yesterdays news, we move on (onwards and upwards) THE MIGHTY IS FOREVER REGARDLESS OF WHICH DIVISION WE ARE IN.
 
AngelBFC said:
Fist pumping fine JJ but patting the badge and saying you want to stay for many years and you are doing xyz then leaving a few months later is different .
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I dont think he patted the badge saying that 😏

But yeah the signing of the new deal when he knew exactly what club we are and what the role is.

Doesn't mean he can't change his mind.

But disappointing to leave after that, but going back to number 2 must make sense to him.
 
JJpool said:
How does him leaving mean fist pumping after a win many months ago wasn't real?

He loved the club and the rapport, he's just decided to go back to a number 2.

Disappointing to not get a statement but would it make it better?

Read scraftons article.
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I’ve read it, my opinion differs, I can’t reconcile all that badge kissing, fist pumping, signing a long term contract, telling us how much he loved it here, with such a sudden exit. I don’t blame him if he’s getting a huge increase in pay, but it doesn’t sit well with me.
 
Goforgoal said:
As I said on another thread anyone is entitled to decide a job isn’t for them or they’re not up to it or just for more money. What I will never understand is why he signed a new contract and said he was delighted to do so. He then spouted all the guff about long term project, best fans, terrific owner, squad camaraderie etc. then did one as soon as a bigger club came along. I don’t carry grudges but I hope Villa are relegated and we batter them in the Championship.😜
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It's a good job he did sign that long contract, and it wasn't one of coco's rollers or he could have walked away for nowt. So at least we have that to thank him for.
 
Matesrates said:
I’ve read it, my opinion differs, I can’t reconcile all that badge kissing, fist pumping, signing a long term contract, telling us how much he loved it here, with such a sudden exit. I don’t blame him if he’s getting a huge increase in pay, but it doesn’t sit well with me.
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It's a weird way to go for sure and not the ideal way with no statement.

Doesn't make the loved it untrue, but new challenges come along.

He loved it at Liverpool, just because he left a huge club for a league 1 club with shite facilities doesn't mean he didn't love Liverpool too after saying so. He wanted a new challenge.

If anything him signing long term helps us, he might have intended to stay but his mind changed since and then the offer of more cash and a different challenge at a higher level.

I'll remember what he's done fondly, a shame he couldn't have made a statement sooner.
 
The only person loyal to a club is its supporters. Contracts mean nothing, and I won't waste any thoughts reflecting on NC, as he's history.
I hope SS got well compensated by Villa for buying out NC's contract, and that he uses it to recruit a manager who has excellent contacts, plays attractive, attacking, hard tackling football and is honest in his post match interviews when we play badly.
Thank you NC, but sadly your legacy is tarnished by the way you have left BFC & I'm just glad I didn't buy a NC mug from the club shop!
Onwards & upwards UTMP.
 
585 = never give up said:
The only person loyal to a club is its supporters. Contracts mean nothing, and I won't waste any thoughts reflecting on NC, as he's history.
I hope SS got well compensated by Villa for buying out NC's contract, and that he uses it to recruit a manager who has excellent contacts, plays attractive, attacking, hard tackling football and is honest in his post match interviews when we play badly.
Thank you NC, but sadly your legacy is tarnished by the way you have left BFC & I'm just glad I didn't buy a NC mug from the club shop!
Onwards & upwards UTMP.
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But they are still good to have those contracts.

As it means should they go the club is always well compensated.
 
It just highlights, if we didn’t know already, how much money is now awash in the Premier League. They really are so far ahead of the rest in financial terms. I’m sure it has never happened before whereby a Championship manager has left to become a number 2 or 3 in the Premier League. The fact that he then supposedly trebles his money in the process is unbelievable really. Considering how much he made a point of bonding with the fans, it’s also sad that he hasn’t felt the need to make a statement to try and leave on good terms.
 
I'm afraid this just shows the power (and the money) of established Premier League clubs. But lets not complain too much as we may be about to poach another manager from the lower leagues.........
 
The more l think about it the more I’m convinced something happened prior to or at the Peterborough game between Critchley and some of the players. You don’t suddenly put 4 Yoof players on the bench, let some players go on holiday early (allegedly) and some key players not in the squad or even traveling down. The performance that day was nothing short of disgraceful and could easily have been 9 not 5. I posted at the time the way the 1500 Pool fans were treated that day was completely disrespectful.
 
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