BLACKPOOL have re-appointed Neil Critchley as manager following the club’s relegation to League One.
The Tangerines saw Critchley leave the club 12 months ago after he joined Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.
When Gerrard was sacked, the 44-year-old left the Villans and spent a spell at QPR.
He has now re-joined the Seasiders on a four-year deal.
On his return to the club, Critchley told club media: “It feels special to be back and I’m thoroughly looking forward to the task that lies ahead.
“Looking back on my departure 12 months ago, I didn’t handle that in the manner I should have done. I enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Simon (Sadler) previously, and I thank him for this wonderful opportunity to come back to this special football club.
“I look at the club now, and it has had a bump in the road but there is no reason why we can’t get back on track.
“It’s up to us – and I include myself in that – to reset and become who we were as a group again.
“Collectively, the staff, players and supporters have shared some special moments together, and I know we all want to experience that again, which is what we will be working towards.”
Critchley first joined the club in 2020 and helped them to promotion to the Championship in his first season in charge.
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Owner Simon Sadler revealed that there were many candidates interviewed for the job but Critchley was the “front-runner” for the job.
He said: “After an extensive recruitment process, which included many interviews with various candidates over the past few weeks, I kept coming back to Neil as being the right man to take us forward.
“He gained promotion with us, kept us in the Championship in our first season back in the division and has an impressive record when it comes to developing players.
“He was the clear front-runner for the position and I hope everyone gets behind him and the squad as we push to get back into the Championship.”
“I’d also like to thank Stephen Dobbie for stepping up for the final six matches of the season.
“He did a wonderful job in what were challenging circumstances, and I am confident he will have a successful career in first-team management in the years to come.”
Dobbie, who has been acting manager following the exit of Mick McCarthy, has returned to his role in the development squad.
