The decision was made to part ways with the ex-Liverpool figure after a disappointing start to the 2024/25 League One campaign.
Saturday’s 3-0 loss to Stockport County proved to be the 45-year-old’s final game in charge of the club, with the result following a 2-1 loss away to Crawley Town on the opening weekend.
Critchley was initially with Blackpool between 2020 and 2022, during which time he guided the club to the Championship via the play-offs.
After leaving the Fylde Coast to become Steven Gerrard’s assistant at Aston Villa, he returned to Bloomfield Road last summer, but failed to replicate his past success, with the Seasiders finishing eighth in League One.
Richard Keogh has taken interim charge, and is in the dugout for the game against Cambridge. It’s currently unknown how he’ll set up, and whether he’ll follow Critchley’s 3-5-2 formation or go his own way.
Here’s our predicted XI and bench:
19. SUB: Kyle Joseph
Like the rest of the Blackpool strike force, Kyle Joseph has struggled at the start of the new season. Photo: CameraSport -