Neil Critchley - Former Assistant Head Coach

[dave shelley]

Welcome mate, please, please, please be very good.

[Brazilian Villain]

Welcome, if "low-key" appointment, worked under Klopp (took charge against us in the Cup) and has done well with Blackpool. Gerrard has already worked with him and he's been brought in with no delay so obviously contingency plans were in place.

[Hookeysmith]

Welcome, if "low-key" appointment, worked under Klopp (took charge against us in the Cup) and has done well with Blackpool. Gerrard has already worked with him and he's been brought in with no delay so obviously contingency plans were in place.

Is that the team we rounded 5-0 ?

[villadelph]

Apparently we've quadrupled his wages.

[PaulWinch again]

Good to see we’ve moved quickly.

[cdbearsfan]

Maybe Beale leaving wasn't the end of the world as we know it, after all.

[Villafirst]

Can't we nip in and get Salah now?

[Percy McCarthy]

From one of the Villa groups on Facebook:

Blackpool fan view upon signing Critchley:

‘Many of us (myself included) looked no further than Ian Evatt. Everything seemed to fit. A Blackpool legend, Barrowcelona and an impressive coaching potential. We couldn't choose a better candidate, right? Wrong.
The club pulled off an absolute worldie of an appointment in Neil Critchley. And before you tell me otherwise, hear me out.

1. Training Ground
The club has appointed a coach who has seen Liverpool's training set up for the past 7 years. Critchley can give advice on how to maximise the functionality of our new training ground and prioritise what we need to develop players to a high standard, his input will be vital. The new training ground will incorporate first team, reserves and youth team at one facility. This will allow his coaching will benefit all of our players and prospects.

2. The Academy
For years the academy has produced talent that has either been let go or mistreated (Osayi-Samuel, Barkhuizen etc.) We all knew under the previous regime that a good young player could never progress at BFC due to the owners using the club as a cash machine. With Critchley's ability to coach youth to an extremely high standard (as shown with Trent Alexander-Arnold) he can use his knowledge and experience to integrate our youth players in to key players for our squad.

3. Philosophy and Identity
The fact that the club held true to this requirement when appointing a new coach is one of the most pleasing aspects. Whatever manager we've had in the past (Grayson, Bowyer) has had control over our footballing style and choice of signings. We have lacked an identity for so long. Critchley can build an identity and philosophy and it will be based on what he has seen at the current best club in the country. Expansive, high-tempo attacking football. The players will buy into it, the fans will buy into and it will give us a sustainable model moving forward. Solid foundations are being laid.

4. Elitely Qualified
Something which always bugged me about managers like Grayson is they don't improve players. Watching Grayson is like watching someone playing Chess. He moves players around, tinkering, trying to find the right formula. He doesn't improve what he has available. Ben Mansford made it clear he wanted someone who could purely focus on what happens in training and match-days hence the 'head coach' title. Critchley can focus on what he's best at, improving players.

Conclusion
I am aware that some of you may find my comments to be quite fanciful. Perhaps I let my heart rule over my head. But I can tell you now that I have never seen such potential to sustainably progress as a club as I do right now. Critchley is pivotal to what we are going to become and I couldn't think of a better choice of appointment to take us on a very special journey.’

[not3bad]

Maybe Beale leaving wasn't the end of the world as we know it, after all.

Well I feel fine now.

[ChicagoLion]

Maybe Beale leaving wasn't the end of the world as we know it, after all.

Yes I have just taken the noose off but will keep it handy.

[Jon Crofts]

My mates a Blackpool fan he’s gutted. Reckons he’s a PL manager in the making, played some fabulous football at Blackpool a big loss to them.

[darren woolley]

I'm pleased with us getting him in good appointment.

[Steve67]

Gerrard has acted quickly and decisively and this chap certainly seems very talented.  Doing anything in Blackpool other than Blackpool rock, is a massive skill and I am looking forward to seeing what Neil can do. 

[villadelph]

Gerrard is allowed to pick his backroom staff but he's labeled as the Head Coach.

Ain't that a manager?

[Nev]

I wonder if he sees Doug as a DM?