Blackpool hope to appoint a new Sporting Director shortly according to an update provided by The Blackpool Gazette.
The Seasiders are hopeful to have the key member of their board appointed as soon as possible after Ben Mansford left the club to rejoin Maccabi Tel Aviv. Mansford spent two years with The Seasiders where he experienced promotion and relegation over two seasons.
Blackpool are also hopeful to have people in place sooner rather than later as they look to fill both Chief Executive and Sporting Director vacancies as it was announced, Chris Badlan would leave the club with immediate effect last season.
The owner of Blackpool, Simon Sadler has been in negotiations with current Sheffield Wednesday Head Of Recruitment David Downes and is hoping to have a deal done so Neil Critchley and Blackpool can move forward with a clear plan. Downes, who was appointed by The Owls in 2019, has success with several players at Hillsborough, signing the likes of Josh Windass and Lee Gregory who both played a part in the club’s recent promotion. The potential appointment of Downes would give the current head of recruitment a bigger responsibility as he would take over the day-to-day running of the club, as well as planning for its long-term future with Sadler.
What’s been said
Neil Critchley had his say on the importance of a Chief Executive being in place:
“I think if somebody is in charge of the full structure and strategy of the football club, it helps keep it pushing in the right direction, then you include the right people around them to provide support.
Writer’s View
Blackpool are now in the position where they can’t get the appointment of the next board members wrong, last season was turbulent, to say the least, and with the board failing to secure players at the last minute, taking their time over sacking the likes of Michael Appleton and the appointment of Mick McCarthy all added to a horrible season for The Tangerines. This, alongside a clear lack of planning for when Neil Critchley left and a clear plan for the recruitment to ensure the squad had the quality to stay in The Championship, see’s Blackpool back in League One having to do it all again.
Simon Sadler has started the season by reappointing Critchley in a move which has proved more popular than maybe previously anticipated, but now it’s to get Chief Executive who can relate to the fans, move the club forward and bring some joy back after what quite frankly has been a miserable 12-months at Blackpool. Downes will bring clear calibre to the recruitment of players and in my opinion better structure than Ben Mansford if given the chance by owner Simon Sadler. Blackpool needs a board with can be both calculated and precise with their choices, and that starts with recruiting an Assistant Manager and Sporting Director, as soon as these choices are made Blackpool can move forward with pace.
David Downes would be a shrewd signing, having experience working with a club such as Sheffield Wednesday will bring a wealth of knowledge, Downes must bring a proactive approach that ensures Blackpool have a clear plan to stick to allow the club to progress quickly, and not experience avoidable bumps like last campaign. Blackpool can’t afford to be reactive and left behind with their transfer strategy as they begin life back in League One.
What’s most important is showing a clear path of where the club is going as the fans have stuck by the club and they will want to see progression both on and off the pitch. Downes would bring a decent structure and positive news, but the roles need to be sorted as soon as possible for the club to be prepared.
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