Former Blackpool Midfielder Linked With Managerial Role

Former Blackpool midfielder Charlie Adam is in the running for the vacant managerial role at his old club, according to journalist Alan Nixon.

Adam is currently in the hotseat at the Tangerines’ Lancashire rivals Fleetwood Town but is being linked with a move down the Fylde coast to rejoin his former club.

The Seasiders are without a manager after sacking Neil Critchley following a 4-0 defeat to Burton Albion in League One, bringing his second spell at the club to an end after 15 months with the club languishing in the relegation zone in the third tier.

Former Scotland international Adam is, however, fairly new to management so a move may be perceived by many as a risk. He has been in charge at Highbury Stadium for less than a year after former international teammate Scott Brown’s dismissal, and still has time to run on his contract. Fleetwood would, therefore, require compensation should Adam be appointed, which may put the hierarchy at Bloomfield Road off.

The 38-year-old’s managerial record is fairly mixed, with Fleetwood having struggled for much of his reign. He was unable to stop the club’s relegation from League One last season despite an upturn in form, with Town having been on a long winless streak prior to his appointment. The club have started well in League Two this season, currently lying top of the table after three games.

Blackpool, on the other hand, have endured a torrid start to the 2024-25 campaign. They’ve picked up only one point thus far and lie 22^nd with the worst defensive record in the division. After narrowly missing out on the play-offs last term and a busy transfer window which saw eight incomings, expectations were high amongst fans going into the season. It seems to be back to the drawing board, though, with a new manager needed, and the return of a cult hero may be the move that turns the tide.

Writer’s View

This would be a risky move and seems to follow the current trend of hiring ex-players at former clubs, which has had mixed success. Charlie Adam has shown flashes of managerial skill at Fleetwood, but over a very small sample size, which makes the possibility of a move even more intriguing, such is the element of unknown. As for Blackpool, they need to do something even at this early stage of the season, and a risk in appointing Adam may be what is needed.