Chief executive Ben Mansford reflects on Blackpool's managerial search and explains why Liverpool's Neil Critchley is the perfect fit - video

Liverpool’s Under-23 coach was confirmed as Blackpool’s new head coach on Monday to replace former boss Simon Grayson, who was sacked after just seven months in charge.

With an impressive background in coaching that has seen him bring through the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Neco Williams at Anfield, Blackpool’s chief executive Ben Mansford believes he is the perfect fit for the Seasiders.

He told The Gazette: “We really see ourselves as a modern, community-based football club and we wanted a modern coach with excellent credentials and a proven track record.

“Neil has articulated that very well about improving individuals but ultimately as part of a team structure and the team is paramount.

“I think that’s really important, because we want Neil to go on now and work with us to create that philosophy that will transcend the club.

“It’s a real pleasure to have someone that has worked since 17 to this moment, since he was at Crewe and doing his first coaching badge.

“Then following the last seven years at Liverpool, you see the seamless transition of players from that Under-23 group to the first-team group which at the moment is one of the greatest football teams in the world.

“It gives us a real sense of pride that we’ve been able to attract someone of Neil’s ability to this football club.

“He strikes me as a fantastic person and one of the biggest words to come out of Liverpool about him was ‘integrity’. That was really important for us.

“I think his academy background at Crewe will really help us as well as we look to really drive forward that part.

“I’m hoping as well with all the structures, the moves and the facilities that have changed at Liverpool in recent years that he can help us on our journey to finalising the best possible complex for the future of Blackpool Football Club.

“I’m absolutely delighted he’s here and I’m looking forward to the start of our journey together.”

Critchley’s appointment brought an end to a hectic three-week search for a new boss after Simon Grayson was sacked after just seven months in charge.

The club had official approaches knocked back for Karl Robinson (Oxford United) and Richie Wellens (Swindon Town), while the likes of John Eustance, Nathan Jones and Paul Heckingbottom were also among those to be considered.

Reflecting on the club’s search, Mansford said: “It was always about a process, it was always about an extensive search to find the right person and the right fit for what Blackpool Football Club wants and what we as a board need.

“We will only succeed if we’re together and we were together a lot over the last few weeks to make sure we found the right appointment.

“There won’t be any shortage of hard effort and time spent from me and the type of people we’re bringing to the football club.

“We want people like Neil who are well prepared and analytical.

“If I didn’t sleep for the last three weeks, I don’t care as long as I got the right person for the job alongside the rest of the board and everyone else at the club.

“That’s part of my job and I’m delighted to do that for the good of the club.”