'You’ve got to be authentic:' Ex-Derby County and Coventry City defender opens up on role with Blackpool

The former Derby County and Coventry City defender, who also spent a season at Bloomfield Road during his playing career, returned to the Fylde Coast at the start of the summer to work under Neil Critchley. 

Following the sacking of the ex-Liverpool figure, Keogh has overseen the first-team for the last couple of weeks, but will now work under the newly appointed head coach. 

Bruce has signed a two-year deal with Blackpool, and is joined by long-term assistant Steve Agnew. 

Meanwhile, another ex-Seasiders player Stephen Dobbie is also part of the 63-year-old’s coaching team, alongside Keogh. 

“We understand the club and that’s where we can help the new guys coming in,” he said. 

“Two young coaches and two experienced coaches, hopefully it’s a nice blend - we’re all passionate and want what’s best for the football club. 

“We want to keep progressing and keep working hard. 

“It’s a great appointment from the club. As a young coach, what a great person to lean on and to watch work. 

“I’ve been very lucky to work under some great managers. I just want to keep learning and progressing, being the best version of myself. I know for a fact he’ll want to help me. 

“I want to help him as well, I think that’s really important. I’ve played against his teams before, him and Steve (Agnew), they’re both great coaches. 

“I’m really excited to get to work. I’m delighted that they’re here. I can’t wait to pick his brain, hopefully he'll see a young group that’s hungry.”

Keogh admits he’s now a better coach because of his interim spell in charge of the Seasiders, during which time he oversaw two draws in League One, as well as victories in both the EFL Cup and the EFL Trophy.

“I’ve learnt loads as a young coach, and about myself,” he added. 

“It’s important you have the mindset of wanting to keep learning in any walk of life- I was like that as a player. 

“I definitely feel as if I’ve improved as a coach in a short period, you have to. 

“My role when I came back here was to help the manager in any way I could, and that’ll be no different now.

“Regardless of how many years you play, when you retire and go into the coaching journey, you know it takes a lot of hard work and dedication. 

“I’ve been building towards this for a long time, but it’s only when you’re it that you learn about your style, what works and what doesn’t, and yourself as a person. 

“You’ve got to find your own way. You’ve got to be as authentic as possible.

“In the twilight years of my career, I always felt coaching was my journey, but until you’ve taken your badges and start feeling it, that’s when you understand it a little bit more.”