Blackpool's new head coach Neil Critchley admits it had to be a 'special' job for him to leave Liverpool

The 41-year-old has become Blackpool's new head coach, replacing Simon Grayson who was sacked last month after just seven months in charge.

He leaves his role as Under-23 coach at Liverpool, a job he has held since the summer of 2017, having previously been in charge of the Under-18s since 2013.

Critchley has now signed a contract with the Seasiders until the end of the 2022/23 season.

Upon being announced as the club's new chief, Critchley said: “I am absolutely delighted to join Blackpool.

"The trust and faith that has been shown in me from Simon and Ben gives me a very special feeling inside.

"I can’t wait to get started, I’m really looking forward to the weeks and months ahead, meeting the players, working on the grass, developing the team and meeting some of the supporters.

“The time I’ve had at Liverpool has been truly special. I’ve been incredibly well supported there from Alex Inglethorpe, the academy manager, and all the staff.

"It’s a truly special football club and it’s the people that make the football club the place that it is.

"It would have had to have taken something equally as special, if not more, for me to even think about leaving.

“But from the conversations I’ve had here, I got a really good feeling about the people, where they want the club to go and how they want it to grow.”

Critchley will be unveiled to the media this afternoon alongside chief executive Ben Mansford.