Ian Holloway has hit out at speculation linking him with a sensational return to Blackpool, insisting he remains fully focused on his project with Swindon Town.
The 61-year-old boss described reports of him being in contention for the Seasiders’ vacancy as “lazy”, making it clear that he has no interest in a reunion at Bloomfield Road.
Ian Holloway is fully committed to Swindon #STFC pic.twitter.com/qqJD3nTm2T
— Adver Sport Desk (@AdverSport) October 17, 2025
Blackpool parted ways with Steve Bruce almost 2 weeks ago, with the club languishing 23rd in League One despite being tipped for a promotion push before the campaign began.
Early bookmaker odds placed Holloway as high as 3rd favourite, behind Richie Wellens and Ian Evatt, reigniting talk of a fairytale return to the club he famously took to the Premier League.
What Happened and Why It Matters
Holloway spent three seasons in charge at Blackpool between 2009 and 2012, guiding the club to the top flight and etching his name into their history books.
However, speaking to The Advertiser, the veteran manager dismissed the rumours outright, making it clear he is focused entirely on his current job at Swindon Town, who face Accrington Stanley this weekend in League Two.
“How lazy is that? No, seriously, how lazy is that? No work’s been done. Nobody talks to anybody anymore. No one’s asked me a question about it,” Holloway said.
“That was years ago. Good luck to you. I’m here now, and I’m loving every minute of it. Hopefully it’ll be for years and years, because I want to be successful for this football club. So that’s it.”
Blackpool are still searching for Bruce’s replacement, with former Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town boss Matt Bloomfield currently leading the betting markets.
Other names reportedly in the frame include Leam Richardson, Charlie Daniels, and Richie Wellens. Holloway’s name appears much further down the list, level with Damien Duff and Sean Dyche.
This is an Ian Holloway appreciation post ❤️#STFC pic.twitter.com/jmonrlnfH1
— The Real EFL (@RealEFLSocial) September 6, 2025
Reaction, Impact, and What Comes Next
Holloway has repeatedly spoken about his deep connection to Swindon since taking charge, describing himself at the end of last season as “the luckiest man in the world” for being in his current position. His focus remains on developing the Robins both on and off the pitch, with long-term ambitions of climbing back through the EFL tiers.
“That is my job, and I am proud to have that job, and I will be making the decisions that I think are right for the football club,” he said. “I can’t tell you how upbeat I am about the future of this football club, and I am going to be at the helm, and I will have the chance to look at how we do things and suggest how we can do better.”
For Blackpool, the search for stability continues after a turbulent period under Bruce. The club will hope to make a swift appointment as they look to halt a run of poor results and climb clear of the relegation zone. For Holloway, however, the message could not be clearer: his heart and his focus are firmly with Swindon Town.
