Blackpool hierarchy send clear message as they share intention for the future
Blackpool’s Julian Winter and David Downes spoke to the press earlier this month.
Blackpool’s hierarchy states the club’s ambition is still to be in the Championship on a frequent basis - and remain confident they can deliver that.
CEO Julian Winter and Sporting Director David Downes have both been in their respective roles at Bloomfield Road since 2023, on the back of the Seasiders’ relegation from the second tier.
In the years since, Blackpool have found themselves stuck in League One, missing out on the play-offs in their first two attempts of promotion, and now finding themselves in a relegation battle.
Head coaches Neil Critchley and Steve Bruce have both been sacked from their roles during that time, with club legend Ian Evatt currently holding the top job on the back of his appointment in October.
When asked if he still had the belief he could guide the club in the right direction, Winter responded: “100 percent. I said when I came here, this club is the club that can overachieve a little bit with what it’s got.
“It should be, in my opinion, a Championship club, and a Championship club on a consistent basis.
“If we progress in the way we want to, we’ll be a Championship club and fighting for something different.”
Despite their struggles in League One this term, the Seasiders did invest heavily in the summer, with many expecting them to be competing at the top end of the table.
While some of the signings simply haven’t worked out, injuries have also acted as a mitigating factor behind why performances have been so underwhelming at certain times.
“The squad has developed, and this is arguably the strongest squad we’ve probably had since I’ve been here,” Downes stated.
“There’s been circumstances that have derailed that this season, and it is probably a blip in that sense.
“There’s a hell of a lot going on around the club in terms of investment in the stadium, the training ground, and in the players.
“We all want it to be a Championship club and we all want to be at the top end of League One.
“With Ian and his affinity to the club, we think there’s a reason to be positive and optimistic about the future.”
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