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Blackpool have “sounded out” Neil Critchley for a surprise return to Bloomfield Road, according to reports.
Is Carol Vorderman up for the role tooThe Seasiders are on the lookout for a permanent head coach, albeit an appointment is unlikely to be made until the end of the season.
It leaves the Seasiders seven points adrift of safety with just six games remaining, all but confirming their relegation back to League One.
Development squad boss Stephen Dobbie will take charge until the end of the season, assisted by Matt Blinkhorn and Steve Banks.
According to Darren Witcoop of the Sunday Mirror, Critchley is in the frame for a surprise return.
“Blackpool have sounded out Neil Critchley to return to Bloomfield Road for a second stint as manager, although any decision is now likely to be taken in the summer,” he wrote.
The Gazette understands the club’s board members were previously split about bringing Critchley back, although this could well have changed given recent developments.
The 44-year-old is currently out of work after a tough year, following Steven Gerrard out of the door at Aston Villa before lasting only 71 days as QPR boss.
Elsewhere, it’s been reported that Richie Wellens, who is about to seal promotion from League Two with Leyton Orient, and club legend Charlie Adam have been spoken to about the vacancy.
It’s understood Leam Richardson is also a name that could be spoken to, although it’s worth noting the club often like to speak to as many managers as possible before whittling them down.
Sporting director Chris Badlan, the man responsible for compiling the shortlist, also left the club last week in somewhat acrimonious circumstances.
No official reason was given for his departure, with the club releasing a blunt 25-word statement.
“Blackpool Football Club can confirm that sporting director Chris Badlan has left the club with immediate effect,” the Seasiders said.
“The club will be making no further comment.”
The amount of cash you could r
Which is why it shouldn't happen.Don't entirely hate it, think this would be more like Luton re-appointing Nathan Jones than Grayson or Apple coming back.
He'd need to say something very convincing to the fans to get them on board again and I am certain there'd be a fair bit of fans who wouldn't back him just like Apple this year...
But those fans would absolutely get behind him immediately if he won a few games in a row.Which is why it shouldn't happen.
Fresh start or popular ex player with experienced number 2 for me.
It's a bit like going back to an ex who left you, the connection isn't there as much.But those fans would absolutely get behind him immediately if he won a few games in a row.
I'm sure if he came back he'd make some sort of statement or video..
He knows the squad, was great at League 1 level and is objectively the best manager on the market right now who might be available.
I'd give Leam Richardson a ring too along with Wellens and Simpson, but it's not a bad shout at all is it?
The club have already fucked up with two former managers being re-appointed, so third times the charm, right?
Yes he certainly did fail last time he was here, he walked out without any notice or an apology or thanks to the fans and it could be strongly argued that his departure was a major factor in the position we find ourselves today. Loyalty is two way and there is no way Critch should be invited back purely because his own project has failed twice. Critch has moved on and so should BFC.He didn't fail when he was here before, and on that basis alone, I wouldn't be against the proposal. It would also conveniently resurrect the 'project' which we certainly appear to have abandoned of late.
When you say could he be trusted again what do you mean by that? To not leave? Any manager would be off the second they think they have a better opportunity elsewhere and being paid a lot more money.TBH I’m not sure what to make of this rumour or not. He certainly left us in the lurch but who wouldn’t want go to a Prem team to coach at that level and earn more money, but I'd like to understand why he didn’t leave a simple message to the fans (like Richard Keogh did) was it because Villa prevented him doing this or just couldn’t be arsed? I know we have no divine right for him to do this but it was the least he could have done having said that it’s not the end of the world. Could he be trusted again and that’s the question really?
l could have worded it slightly differently KB l suppose, but the majority of fans took Critch to their hearts and perhaps vice versa and when he left in the manner in which it happened could that relationship be trusted again?When you say could he be trusted again what do you mean by that? To not leave? Any manager would be off the second they think they have a better opportunity elsewhere and being paid a lot more money.
Football fans are fickle. If he’s winning the fans will love him. If he’s losing we are back to how he’s a traitor. Pretty simple really.l could have worded it slightly differently KB l suppose, but the majority of fans took Critch to their hearts and perhaps vice versa and when he left in the manner in which it happened could that relationship be trusted again?
Football is a different beastHow many companies would even think about re-employing someone who walked out on them at virtually no notice? Would SS do that in his business world? I can't believe he would.
Hopefully this us just normal Press speculation/ bullshit.
Nor would anyone with any successful business acumen consider employment on the grounds of sentiment. So forget any ex-players unless they've proved that they can walk the walk. And I don't include Wellens in that. Far more failures than success.
Correct fans are very fickle but even at Peterborough when we got a proper tubbing that could easily have been 9 nil the fans were still applauding well most anyway!Football fans are fickle. If he’s winning the fans will love him. If he’s losing we are back to how he’s a traitor. Pretty simple really.
In fairness we were probably better than bang average with Ekpiteta, Yates, Madine, Sims, Ballard etc But yeah I take your point he got a good tune out of them.Got a bang average League One side promoted and kept them up. Swallow your pride and get him back.
Very good point that tangThere’s a lot said about the fans opinions but what about the players who were here under him. How did they feel about the way he left and would they want to work with him again.
Yates would be an obvious one. Seemed to have a strained relationship towards the end.There’s a lot said about the fans opinions but what about the players who were here under him. How did they feel about the way he left and would they want to work with him again.
We were terrible towards the end of last season under Crutch, who could ever forget the 5-0 thrashing at Peterborough and the performance at home against Derby. The other consideration is the salary Critch would now be looking for, he was paid a lot more at both Villa & QPR than when he was at Blackpool, we also don‘t know what the impact of Critch taking a new job would have on his compensation packages from Villa and QPR especially if he is on gardening leave at QPR and is still getting paid.Bring him home!
Those saying no mustn’t have been watching since August - we’ve been shite since he left.
Let’s be real - he’s the best we’re going to get in current situation.
I'd get behind herIs Carol Vorderman up for the role too
We were terrible towards the end of last season under Crutch, who could ever forget the 5-0 thrashing at Peterborough and the performance at home against Derby. The other consideration is the salary Critch would now be looking for, he was paid a lot more at both Villa & QPR than when he was at Blackpool, we also don‘t know what the impact of Critch taking a new job would have on his compensation packages from Villa and QPR especially if he is on gardening leave at QPR and is still getting paid.
Nathan Jones wouldn't contemplate moving down to Lg1 I'm afraid and Evatt has got something going with Bolton even if they miss out on promotion. The only way we would get Evatt is if they they have a bad start to next season in Lg1 and we can't afford to wait.I’d have Nathan jones or Gary bowyer or Ian evatt rather than critchley tbh
Because players are well known for their loyalty.There’s a lot said about the fans opinions but what about the players who were here under him. How did they feel about the way he left and would they want to work with him again.