Former Blackpool boss Ian Holloway hints he may never manage again after Grimsby Town exit

The 57-year-old handed in his resignation at Blundell Park just before Christmas, stating an impending takeover of the club was the key factor in his departure.

Grimsby, who are 22nd in League Two and just just three points above the relegation zone, have since brought Paul Hurst back to the club for his second stint as manager.

Speaking for the first time since his departure in his column for Bristol Live, Holloway wrote: “Without going into too much detail, it became clear that a takeover was in the offing and my allegiance was to the current board.

“Therefore, any relationship between me and the new regime would have been soured from the start. It is vital to any club that the board and manager are on the same wavelength.

“When majority shareholder John Fenty, the man who attracted me to join Grimsby, told me he was preparing to sell his shares, it made up my mind to quit as manager.

“I felt it was best for all concerned that the club made a fresh start with a new man in charge of the team, although it was with a heavy heart that I announced I was leaving.

“When I took the job on, I wanted to build something, just as I had done at Bristol Rovers years ago, and I really felt capable of doing it.”

Turning his attention to his future plans, Holloway - who led the Seasiders to the Premier League in 2010 - hinted that he might opt to call it a day.

“Now, not for the first time, I am an out-of-work manager," he added.

"But I have to admit that some of my appetite for the game has waned as a result of the way things turned out at Grimsby and working during Covid-19.

“It is truly frightening when one of your players tests positive for the virus, which is what happened, and I found that all the restrictions and rules that had to be observed made the job the most difficult I have ever faced.

“I am truly not sure if I will go back into football management. I think the pandemic has made most of us re-evaluate our lives and the job would have to be totally right to attract me.

“It’s all about finding good people to work with. I thought I had done that at Grimsby, but they were being hounded out when I left.”

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here