Blackpool boss Terry McPhillips stood down last night after less than a season in charge.
McPhillips helped Blackpool to tenth in League One under difficult circumstances, but has decided to stand down to allow the club to hunt a new boss for the new season.
Under McPhillips management, the club saw owner Owen Oyston pushed out, with Simon Sadler coming in and bringing the supporters back to Bloomfield Road.
McPhillips and Blackpool released a statement saying: “While discussing the option of a new contract, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on things and feel that the time is now right for me to step aside.
“I never really had any intention of becoming a manager, yet I stepped up in difficult circumstances last season because the club needed some stability. That stability has now been achieved and an exciting future awaits under Simon’s ownership.
“It’s been an honour to manage Blackpool in the short-term, and I will forever cherish the fact that I was in charge of the team when all the fans returned for the homecoming match against Southend United.”
McPhillips was in his first managerial role after previously being an assistant under Gary Bowyer at both Blackpool and Blackburn.
Supporters have reacted on Twitter to the news, with McPhillips seemingly a very popular man who steered the club through those final choppy waters. These fans are fairly clear about who they want to replace him though.
https://twitter.com/BoIaEra/status/1147236608149786624
Only one man for the job 👀👀 pic.twitter.com/LzLa9A8oH0
— Lou Hawke ✌ (@Louhawke1994) July 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/ConorMunn12/status/1147234488893825025
Shocked. He has done a fantastic job and should be proud. Likeable guy as well.
— Back Henry Street (@BackHenryStreet) July 5, 2019
Best wishes for the future Terry.
Given the circumstances when you became manager you did a great job to achieve a 10th place finish for @BlackpoolFC
— Tony Wilkinson (@seasidersnews) July 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/chaddy_961/status/1147236544341860353
