Neil Critchley leaves Liverpool to take up League One job

Under-23s coach Neil Critchley has left Liverpool to take up the position of head coach at Blackpool.

Critchley was the bookies favourite for the job with the League One side and on Monday morning the Reds confirmed his departure.

Academy director Alex Inglethorpe told the club’s website: “It’s a bittersweet day in many respects.

“Obviously losing a person and professional of Neil’s calibre is something that is a disappointment, but at the same time we have great excitement and joy that he has been given this wonderful opportunity.

“We see this as a reflection on the Academy as a whole, that it’s an environment where players and coaches have a pathway to progression and self-improvement.

“Blackpool want Neil because of the work he’s done at Liverpool and it shows to everyone within our system that if you work hard and work smart then rewards are there.

“Neil epitomises the best qualities of a modern coach: leadership skills, intelligence, compassion and a hunger for individual and collective improvement. Blackpool are very fortunate to have him and we wish him well.

“For the U23s we are confident in the remaining coaching talent we have to make sure there is no drop-off in the interim period. This season has proved the importance of the role and, therefore, we will take advantage of having amazing people already in post to take stock and assess what to do next.

 

 

 

“Myself, Michael Edwards and Jurgen Klopp will work collaboratively on what works best for the future. Pathway is so critical to this club we want to make sure we make the best appointment we can.”

Critchley, 41, has been at Anfield for six-and-a-half years after moving to Merseyside in September 2013 to take the reins of the U18s.

He was allowed to take charge of two first-team games this season – the Carabao Cup tie at Aston Villa in December and the FA Cup fourth-round replay against Shrewsbury Town at Anfield, when Klopp decided to rest his senior players.

David Dunn is currently Blackpool’s caretaker manager after Simon Grayson was sacked on February 12.

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