Blackpool appoint Liverpool's Under-23 coach Neil Critchley as their new head coach

The 41-year-old takes over from Simon Grayson, who was sacked last month after just seven months in charge.

Critchley has signed a contract that runs until the end of the 2022/23 season.

This will be Critchley’s first role as a number one having held the role of Under-23 coach at Anfield since the summer of 2017.

He had previously been in charge of the Under 18s since 2013.

Critchley has even taken charge of Liverpool’s first-team on two occasions this season in the absence of Jurgen Klopp.

The first instance saw Aston Villa beat a youthful Liverpool side in the Carabao Cup in December while the first-team squad was away in Qatar for the Club World Club.

Then, last month, he oversaw a 1-0 victory against Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup to set up a fifth-round tie with Chelsea.

Critchley has been credited with overseeing the progression of the likes of Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Neco Williams, who have all tasted first-team action this season.

Critchley, who is regarded as one of the top coaches in Europe, is just one of 16 coaches in the country to have gained the highest possible qualification in the game.

This comes after he was hand-picked by the FA to take UEFA’s first elite badge course.

Critchley’s appointment as head coach, rather than manager, brings an end to Blackpool’s 19-day search for a new boss.

The Seasiders had approaches knocked back for both Karl Robinson, at Oxford United, and Swindon Town manager Richie Wellens.

John Eustace was also interested in the role, but The Gazette understands QPR’s assistant manager withdrew his name when it became clear he wasn’t the club’s number one choice.

It’s understood Nathan Jones was initially the club’s main target, but the Welshman is believed to have turned it down.

The 46-year-old is still receiving his pay-off from Stoke City, where he was sacked in November, and is believed to be holding out for another job.

That’s also believed to be the case with former Barnsley, Leeds United and Hibernian manager Paul Heckingbottom.

He was strongly linked to Blackpool due to his previous connection with chief executive Ben Mansford.

Critchley will take charge of Blackpool for the first time this weekend when the Seasiders make the short trip down the Fylde coast to face neighbours Fleetwood Town.