Neil Critchley - Former Assistant Head Coach

[Brazilian Villain]

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

The move will be seen as a coup for Gerrard who has enticed one of the most highly thought of coaches in the game to join his staff. Having moved from Liverpool’s academy to take control of Blackpool in March 2020, that season was curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, in his first season in charge, Critchley led his side to a third-placed League One finish before they sealed promotion via the playoff final at Wembley. Blackpool finished 16th in the Championship last season.

[TonyD]

Top 6/8 squad managed/coached by a guy from Blackpool.
Welcome. Please be good.

[Brazilian Villain]

More of this sort of thing would be welcome. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61062992

[dave shelley]

I'm sure the fans were absolutely delighted when Brian Clough and Peter Taylor rocked up at Derby from Hartlepool and look how that turned out.

[TonyD]

I'm sure the fans were absolutely delighted when Brian Clough and Peter Taylor rocked up at Derby from Hartlepool and look how that turned out.

Sorry not comparable to today’s game. 
But hope I’m wrong. 

[Risso]

I'm sure the fans were absolutely delighted when Brian Clough and Peter Taylor rocked up at Derby from Hartlepool and look how that turned out.

Sorry not comparable to today’s game. 
But hope I’m wrong.

You usually are to be fair.

[Gareth]

Off the top of my head can’t think of many managers who have left job to become an assistant??

Good luck to him….this time next year with a top 6 finish & an FA Cup hopefully

[LeeB]

I'm sure the fans were absolutely delighted when Brian Clough and Peter Taylor rocked up at Derby from Hartlepool and look how that turned out.

Sorry not comparable to today’s game. 
But hope I’m wrong.

You usually are to be fair.

Cold.

[Lastfootstamper]

I'm sure the fans were absolutely delighted when Brian Clough and Peter Taylor rocked up at Derby from Hartlepool and look how that turned out.

Sorry not comparable to today’s game. 
But hope I’m wrong.

You usually are to be fair.

Cold.

If you hope for the worst, you'll never be disappointed.

[Villa Lew]

Remember seeing him quite a lot on Sky Sports after he got Blackpool promoted, sounds a very good appointment well done Villa yet again.

[LeeB]

It's a statement appointment in as much as appointing an assistant can be. He's done a really impressive job up there in two years and had recently signed a new long deal.

He'll have a big say in things for sure, I doubt he'll be a 'Phil Neal' bibs and cones bloke.

[cdward]

Interesting that Beale took a step into managing, and Critchley did the opposite. Maybe he’s happier with coaching, now he’s done both.
Seems a good appointment, and in good time.
Not a bad workplace Bodymoor Heath.
It feels a world away from when JT and ROK left, I had a feeling Gerard knew it was coming and already had a replacement teed up.

[Eckybloke]

I wonder whether the conversation with MB before he left, was around if you go, who do you reckon can fill your shoes…type of thing.

Or SG has a list of names in terms of succession planning.

[Toronto Villa]

Finally Aston Villa - Prepared appears to mean something

[tomd2103]

I wonder if he sees Doug as a DM?

Don't need a UEFA Elite badge to answer that. 

Think it's quite impressive that we've been able to attract a settled manager of a Championship club to come and be assistant.  Do wonder with the speed it has happened and that he applied for a couple of jobs,  whether Beale's departure was not by choice?