Steve Bruce has been sacked by Blackpool following a poor start to the League One season, with several familiar names linked to the vacancy.
The Seasiders sit in the bottom four after 11 games, having won just twice, and the club has now turned its attention to finding a replacement capable of halting the slide.
Next Blackpool Manager Odds
The betting market for the next Blackpool manager is changing quickly, but as of Sunday, October 5th, these are the odds.
| Manager | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ian Evatt | 5/4 |
| Stephen Dobbie | 3/1 |
| Leam Richardson | 5/1 |
| Ian Holloway | 8/1 |
| Richie Wellens | 8/1 |
Ian Evatt
Ian Evatt, currently out of work since leaving Bolton Wanderers in January 2025, is the early frontrunner to return to Bloomfield Road. The 43-year-old is a popular figure among Blackpool supporters after making over 250 appearances for the club between 2006 and 2013, including every match in their 2010–11 Premier League campaign.
His managerial career began at Barrow, where he guided them to promotion to the Football League, before achieving back-to-back top-six finishes with Bolton. Known for his progressive, possession-based style, Evatt’s attacking philosophy could energise a fanbase desperate for a return to entertaining football.
Stephen Dobbie
Stephen Dobbie has stepped in as interim boss and could make a strong case to stay on permanently. The 41-year-old has worked within Blackpool’s coaching setup since retiring from playing in 2021, most recently serving as Development Coach.
A former Seasiders striker, Dobbie scored crucial goals during their Championship play-off campaigns and is admired for his understanding of the club’s identity. Any positive results during his caretaker spell could strengthen his claim, with supporters already backing him as a sentimental and potentially stabilising choice.
Leam Richardson
Leam Richardson remains one of the most experienced free agents at this level. After guiding Wigan Athletic to the League One title in 2022, his tenure at Rotherham United was less successful, ending in late 2024.
The 45-year-old is respected for his tactical organisation and leadership under pressure, traits that could suit a club fighting near the foot of the table. Richardson’s preference for a more direct and disciplined approach contrasts with Bruce’s style, which might provide the solidity and resilience that Blackpool have lacked so far this campaign.
Ian Holloway
Few names evoke stronger memories at Bloomfield Road than Ian Holloway. The 62-year-old led the Seasiders to the Premier League in 2010 and remains a cult hero among the fanbase. Currently managing Swindon Town, who sit among League Two’s promotion contenders, Holloway’s attacking, high-energy brand of football would be a nostalgic yet ambitious move.
While his return might seem unlikely given his success elsewhere, his emotional connection to the club ensures his name will always surface whenever the Blackpool job becomes available.
Richie Wellens
Richie Wellens has quietly built a strong managerial reputation in recent years. Now in charge of Leyton Orient, he guided the East London side to promotion from League Two and a top-half finish in League One. The 45-year-old, who made over 100 appearances for Blackpool as a player, combines high-tempo pressing with patient build-up play, earning plaudits for his modern approach.
His current contract with Orient may complicate matters, but Wellens remains a logical long-term target if the Seasiders are looking for stability and identity.
How to Bet on the Next Blackpool Manager
Placing a bet on the next Blackpool manager is straightforward if you follow a few simple steps. Here’s how to get started with the latest market.
Find a Bookmaker: Choose a trusted football betting site that offers odds on the next Blackpool manager market.
Locate the Market: Navigate to football specials or outright markets and select the “Next Blackpool Manager” section.
Select Your Candidate: Pick the manager you believe is most likely to be appointed from the current list of contenders.
Add to Bet Slip: Click on your chosen name to add them to your bet slip.
Set Your Stake: Enter the amount you wish to wager.
Confirm Your Bet: Place your bet through the bookmaker once you’re happy with the odds.
Track Updates: Monitor news and club statements, as odds can shift quickly based on developments and betting volume.
Understanding Managerial Betting Markets
“Next Manager” markets focus on predicting who will be appointed as the next permanent boss. The market winner is the individual officially announced by the club. Other related bets may include “first manager to be sacked” or “first to leave post” during a season.
Prices fluctuate regularly, driven by insider reports, media speculation, and betting activity. For football fans, it’s one of the most unpredictable yet engaging markets to follow, especially during periods of uncertainty like the one currently surrounding Bloomfield Road.
Blackpool Managerial History & Trends
Blackpool’s managerial record over the past 25 years paints a picture of dramatic highs and turbulent change. The club has often oscillated between stability and upheaval, with brief spells of sustained success interrupted by rapid turnover in the dugout.
Since 2000, Steve McMahon’s early-2000s tenure remains one of the more stable periods, delivering two Football League Trophy wins and a promotion. Simon Grayson twice returned to guide the Seasiders through promotions and relegations, while Ian Holloway’s 2009–2012 spell marked a modern golden era. His side’s promotion to the Premier League in 2010 remains one of the club’s proudest achievements.
The years that followed have been characterised by inconsistency. A string of short-lived appointments, ranging from Paul Ince and Lee Clark to Neil McDonald and José Riga, highlighted a club struggling to recapture its former direction. More recently, Neil Critchley provided rare continuity, guiding Blackpool to the Championship in 2021 before departing in 2022. Successors Michael Appleton, Mick McCarthy, and Steve Bruce all endured short tenures, unable to arrest the club’s decline.
In betting terms, Blackpool’s managerial history makes them one of the EFL’s more volatile clubs to predict. While past appointments have alternated between experienced British coaches and returning club figures, there is no clear pattern in the board’s approach.
The only certainty is change, meaning the next permanent manager will need both time and patience to restore stability to Bloomfield Road.
Blackpool Managerial History
| Manager | Appointment Date | To | Days in Charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steve McMahon | 7 January 2000 | 6 June 2004 | 1,613 |
| Colin Hendry | 7 June 2004 | 10 November 2005 | 521 |
| Simon Grayson | 5 August 2006 | 23 December 2008 | 871 |
| Ian Holloway | 21 May 2009 | 3 November 2012 | 1,263 |
| Michael Appleton | 7 November 2012 | 11 January 2013 | 65 |
| Paul Ince | 18 February 2013 | 21 January 2014 | 337 |
| José Riga | 11 June 2014 | 27 October 2014 | 138 |
| Lee Clark | 30 October 2014 | 9 May 2015 | 191 |
| Neil McDonald | 2 June 2015 | 18 May 2016 | 351 |
| Gary Bowyer | 1 June 2016 | 6 August 2018 | 796 |
| Terry McPhillips | 6 August 2018 | 5 July 2019 | 333 |
| Simon Grayson | 6 July 2019 | 12 February 2020 | 221 |
| Neil Critchley | 2 March 2020 | 2 June 2022 | 823 |
| Michael Appleton | 17 June 2022 | 18 January 2023 | 215 |
| Mick McCarthy | 19 January 2023 | 8 April 2023 | 79 |
| Neil Critchley | 23 May 2023 | 21 August 2024 | 456 |
| Steve Bruce | 3 September 2024 | 4 October 2025 | 397 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who’s the favourite to be the next Blackpool manager?
At present, Ian Evatt is the bookmakers’ clear favourite to become the next Blackpool manager, priced at 5/4. His past playing connection to the club and recent achievements with Bolton Wanderers make him the standout candidate. Evatt’s reputation for attacking, possession-based football and his availability following his departure from Bolton earlier this year have placed him firmly at the top of the list.
Who will be the next manager of Blackpool?
No appointment has been confirmed yet, but the early frontrunners are Ian Evatt and Leam Richardson. Both have strong League One pedigrees, and both are currently available. The Blackpool board is expected to take a short period to assess options following Steve Bruce’s sacking, with an announcement likely before the end of October.
Who would be the best manager for Blackpool?
The best fit for Blackpool depends on whether the club wants a short-term fix or a long-term rebuild. Evatt would bring attacking identity and familiarity, while Richardson offers proven promotion experience and defensive organisation. Either would bring qualities that address the fragility seen under Bruce. Stephen Dobbie, meanwhile, remains the emotional choice among supporters after stepping in as interim boss.
Who is the longest-serving Blackpool manager in the modern era?
Since 2000, Steve McMahon holds the record as Blackpool’s longest-serving manager, spending more than four years in charge between 2000 and 2004. His tenure brought two Football League Trophy wins and promotion to the third tier, marking one of the club’s most stable modern eras. Ian Holloway’s 2009–2012 spell also ranks highly, defined by his historic Premier League promotion
Which Blackpool manager has the best record?
In terms of win percentage, Neil Critchley stands out as the most successful Blackpool manager of recent times, boasting a win rate above 40% across his two spells. He guided the Seasiders back to the Championship in 2021, playing a brand of football admired throughout the EFL. Holloway’s impact, however, remains unmatched in scale due to the club’s rise to the Premier League.
How often do Blackpool change their manager?
Blackpool have appointed 18 permanent managers since the turn of the millennium, averaging a change roughly every 16 months. While occasional periods of stability have existed, such as under McMahon, Grayson, and Critchley, the club has frequently shifted direction following downturns in form.
This high turnover rate makes betting on their next managerial appointment particularly volatile, with odds prone to sharp movement in the early days of the market.
