Unless a miracle happens Blackpool’s short stay in the Championship is coming to an uneventful end. After last seasons 16th place finish, Blackpool find themselves seven points from safety with a significantly lower goal difference. It’s been a culmination of bad managerial appointments and uninspiring tactics which have lead Stephen Dobbie’s men to this point, so what next for the Seasiders?
Blackpool need someone to galvanise the fanbase and get them back on their feet, since the surprise departure of Neil Critchley, who left to once again become a number two, something he said he no longer wanted to be. However, it was the lure of the Premier League, which saw him leave the Tangerines and ultimately a massive hole in their plans. This season has seen Michael Appleton and Mick McCarthy take the managers hot seat but both failed to inspire, push on from last season or win over the fans.
Appleton won seven games and tasted defeat 13 times in his second tenure at the club. Just as things couldn’t get worse for Blackpool, after Appleton was sacked step forward Mick McCarthy, an old head, who has been known to be resolute and organised, well that Mick didn’t get the memo at Blackpool with just two wins and nine defeats to his name Mccarthy’s time at the seaside was over. Fast forward to now, Stephen Dobbie, once manager of the development squad has stepped up to instill some passion and belief back into the squad, but it would take one of the greatest turn of events in football to the Seasiders safe.
So who could their next manager be?
Neil Critchley:
It’s apparently been sounded that a return of Neil Critchley could be on the cards. Critchley, who had a turbulent start at Blackpool boasted an impressive 43% win record. His style was high pressing off the ball, and mostly exciting whilst on it, Critchley got the most out his side, which was still filled with a lot of League One players. He developed a relationship with the fans. that hasn’t been seen for many of years. That work was swiftly undone with his departure, after signing a new long term deal at Blackpool, Critchley left Blackpool with no statement, no thank you, nothing to the fans or club where he tasted a promotion and a solid season in the championship.
Neil Critchley undoubtedly was great for Blackpool FC and Blackpool was great for him, the shoe fit and he his sides had an identity, at their best hard to beat and his teams produced moments of magic, whilst also knowing how to grind out wins. The players loved his style and his extensive research and detail he went to when they played. The decision to leave has been a poor one, as since he left he lost his job at Aston Villa and after being named QPR boss a torrid run so him lose his job in London after a short time.
A return to the seaside would ultimately split the fan base, like any managerial appointment does, but this one especially would, he had something special with the fans, a connection something Blackpool need and crave now, if he was appointed he’d to get the fans onside once again, good choice? A lot of fans say never go back, as since the new owners have come in hasn’t worked well.
🥁 "Neil Critchley's Tangerine Army."
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) January 22, 2022
🍊 #UTMP pic.twitter.com/iYwgxl4qh6
Leam Richardson
If Blackpool do find themselves in League One, Richardson would be a solid choice for many reasons, the first of those being having experience in League One, playing some exceptional football and being well drilled in winning the title after just losing eight games on the way to the title last season.
Richardson played a 4-2-3-1 during the season, with a solid back line, structure in the middle and a solid attacking line with the likes of Lang and Keane enjoying a fantastic season. Wigan built from the back with a +38 goal difference, Richardsons’ men were well drilled and rightly deserved title winners.
Like Critchley, Richardson left the Lactics after signing a long term deal at the club, with losing six matches in just seven games, his time at Wigan came to an end, a decision which hasn’t worked well for the club who now sit bottom of the Championship. A lot of fans felt he deserved more time, and in hindsight it’s easy to see that this was the case.
Leam Richardson returning to management would be a great move and achievable for the Seasiders and one which would see another former player join as manager.
Wigan Athletic can confirm that Leam Richardson has left his role as First Team Manager of the Club.
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) November 10, 2022
We would like to place on record our thanks to Leam for his efforts and dedication throughout his time at the Football Club, and wish him well for the future.#wafc 🔵⚪️
Stephen Dobbie
The man currently at the helm and one that some Blackpool fans wanted when Appleton left the seaside. Dobbie has only been manager for one game but a refreshing performance at Luton, despite the usual defensive frailties left Blackpool fans with a glimpse of how he wants to play football.
Dobbie was in charge of the development squad at Blackpool before being put in charge of the first team when Mick Mccarthy left, he enjoyed four loan spells at the club, including playing a pivotal part in the Tangerines promotion to the Premier League.
Since being put in charge Dobbie has put his focus on getting the confidence in the ball players in the squad and wants to score goals, something football fans know Dobbie was exceptional at.
Dobbie has a situation where he almost has nothing to lose at Blackpool, The Seasiders see themselves seven points adrift from survival with just five games to play, a mammoth task but one the eager Scotsman can get his teeth into and ultimately do everything he can to keep the Tangerines in the Championship and show he’s worth a chance to become manager next season.
On to tomorrow. 🧡
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) April 14, 2023
🍊 #UTMP pic.twitter.com/lgRgfOqVwo
Pete Wild
Currently manager of Barrow, Wilds stock has grown massively this season as his side sit 9th in League Two, the 38 year old has shined this season with hard working and high pressing side. Wild has the ability to tweak his tactics for each game and players continue to work well in their roles. He’s a well drilled and determined coach who would fit mould at Blackpool for someone to build their future round.
Barrow are currently pushing for the play-offs in league two in what’s been a sensational turned around for the blue birds, and Wilds philosophy can undoubtedly be used in the league above, somewhere his current side are aiming to be.
Barrow only won ten games last season, just avoiding relegation, whereas this season they’ve already accumulated 18 wins, a remarkable achievement for a side with one of the lowest budgets in the league. This would bode well for the Seasiders who tend not to splash the cash and want to buy decent, cheaper talent and sell them for a big profit, such as Josh Bowler and more recently Andy Lyons.
Wilds style uses an accumulation of styles, all similar, however when tweaked all have different effects. Switching between 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3 and 3-4-3 this season has seen Barrow prove a very difficult side to beat this season, with the likes of Josh Gordon upfront and Ben Whitfield out wide reaping the rewards of Wilds football. Creating chances from full back and wingers bodes well for the players Blackpool will have next season.
🎥 | A delighted Pete Wild spoke to us after yesterdays thorough victory over Crawley Town.
— Barrow AFC (@BarrowAFC) April 11, 2023
Hear his thoughts ⬇️https://t.co/R8ONh5C4kY #WeAreBarrow pic.twitter.com/gvkAkqEbM2
Dave Challinor
A serial winner, Dave Challinor would be a great coup for the Seasiders and someone who would likely to bring success to the seaside as well as a exciting style of football. Challinors win percentage of any clubs he’s taken charge of sits at 45%-59%, including his current spell with Stockport County in League Two.
Challinor saw huge success a Fylde where he achieved a number of accolades such as winning promotion as National League North champions, The FA trophy and reaching the National League play-off final, Challinor enjoyed a hugely successful spell at Fylde which in result would deservedly catapult his career forward.
Hartlepool was Challinors next destination where over two seasons his stock grew bigger and bigger as he saw his side gain promotion to the Football League in his first full season, defeating his current side Stockport on the way to final where they dramatically eliminated Torquay on penalties.
Challinor now finds himself on the brink of League one, as this seasons success story continues to roll on, Stockport play a solid, free flowing and exciting 3-5-2, with strikers Kyle Wooton and experienced striker Paddy Madden scoring 26 goals between them, with Challinor utilising his full backs to create chances with the likes of Kyle Knoyle on six assists this season.
Whilst Stockport have a hugely talented squad Dave Challinor has undoubtedly repaid Stockport’s faith in him and is on the brink of sealing another promotion to his consistently fantastic honours list. He has the ability to tweak his style based on his opponents, utilising all players within his squad, very similar to Critchley in this manner.
However, Challinor for most would most certainly be the preferred candidate. Challinor has a mix of young developing talent which he’s turning into winners with the likes of Ryan Rydel at left back to experienced heads such as Chris Hussey having excellent season under his reign. Challinor would be an excellent choice for the Tangerines, and one who could almost certainly make the step up.
💬 "Once the interest came in, there was obviously always going to be a natural attraction towards it."
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) November 2, 2021
Hear the first full interview with your new manager, Dave Challinor, after his appointment this evening ▶️ https://t.co/906NI3jHiJ pic.twitter.com/GvMDoHeDwC
Blackpool’s next appointment has to be right, as it comes at a time where the fans patience with the board is wearing thin, for many different reasons, one of those being the desperately poor managerial appoints with no obvious plan in place for when Neil Critchley left.
The new man at the helm whoever it is will need to be one that again has a connection with the fan base, can get Blackpool players fighting for the shirt again and one who can develop the younger talent to thrive.
Blackpool are crying out for a period of stability from the board, but ultimately a period where the board learn from their mistakes of missed managerial targets in the past, and focus on how to rebuild and get the club to the heights its achieved in the past. This could be one of the biggest and impactful appointments for many years.
Who do you think would be a good manager for The Seasiders?
