Neil Critchley - Former Assistant Head Coach

[dave.woodhall]

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

Ain't that a manager?

It seems like the idea of him being part of a team is out of the window. I wonder how much extra say he has in transfers now?

[Astnor]

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

Ain't that a manager?

So manager and Head coach is the same.

[Matt C]

Well, absolutely zero messing around, you have to give the club that.

[Exeter 77]

Isn't the title 'Head Coach' linked to the set up which includes 'Sporting Director', which is Lange's role?

[algy]

Not heard of the chap before, but sounds an impressive appointment. Think having Gerrard as the 'front man' then picking someone who maybe has the technical ability as assistant is a smart move. Takes the pressure off trying to find some unicorn manager who's high profile, got a good address book, and has however many years of hard graft learning the coaching skills.

[ChicagoLion]

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

Ain't that a manager?

It seems like the idea of him being part of a team is out of the window. I wonder how much extra say he has in transfers now?

A lot more than Dean Smith I would wager.

[PaulWinch again]

Well if he is having more say in transfers I’d say to date he’s doing a pretty impressive job.

[OCD]

We seem to be going for more 29/30 year olds now, who have won things or be in an environment where there were high expectations.

[eamonn]

Did we have to pay Blackpool compensation and I wonder if QPR went after Critchley? We could swap them him and get our Bealey baby back.

[Beard82]

I think the strategy is to address the weaknesses in the team via transfers.

We seemed to lack experience and character - and I think that’s why we have brought the players we have

I don’t think it is so much a change of direction rather than addressing some of the short comings we have

[SamTheMouse]

Still not dicking around, are we?

[algy]

I think the strategy is to address the weaknesses in the team via transfers.

We seemed to lack experience and character - and I think that’s why we have brought the players we have

I don’t think it is so much a change of direction rather than addressing some of the short comings we have

I agree

[algy]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jun/02/neil-critchley-leaves-blackpool-to-join-aston-villa-as-steven-gerrards-assistant

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Not heard of the chap before, but sounds an impressive appointment. Think having Gerrard as the 'front man' then picking someone who maybe has the technical ability as assistant is a smart move. Takes the pressure off trying to find some unicorn manager who's high profile, got a good address book, and has however many years of hard graft learning the coaching skills.

Absolutely. His profile fits exactly with what we were looking to and needed to recruit, so I for one am a happy chappy.

Welcome, Neil. Get busy!

[Ian.]

Striking while the iron is hot again, absolutely no messing about with us this season. I’ve never heard of him but I hadn’t hear of Beale either. He seems to have a lot of good this said about him and Blackpool look very disappointed to lose him.