New manager must play 'the Blackpool way' according to chief executive Ben Mansford

That’s according to the club’s chief executive Ben Mansford, who sat down with the media yesterday to discuss Simon Grayson’s sacking and what the club are looking for in their new man.

Mansford revealed there is no timeframe to find Grayson’s replacement, but confirmed there are some key criteria that must be adhered to.

“We really must be able to say ‘this is a Blackpool team’ and ‘this is our philosophy and our identity, these are the players we’ll need to play the Blackpool way’,” Mansford said.

“I’m really looking forward to the next head coach because I think it’s a really key appointment.

“We want to respect the history, the 1953 cup final, the Ian Holloway history, and that needs to transcend the football club from the guys in the restaurant, to the grounds staff and to the executive office.

“We have to talk about what is Blackpool and we need to put that down - and that needs to filter down to the academy as well because that’s the sort of joined-up thinking that is really important. I think that’s what is next.

“We’re not going to dictate if a manager plays 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 or whatever, but there are some key principles about what a Blackpool team looks like.

“That will then give us the very best chance to use our resources to get exactly what we need to ensure we can be the best we can be.”

When asked if the ‘Blackpool way’ needs to include attacking football, Mansford added: “I think this is a town where there are some non-negotiables and that’s hard work, that’s effort, that’s togetherness, that’s discipline, that’s standards.

“I believe Simon Sadler talked about entertaining football when he bought the club and I think that’s what he feels.

“He knows there are some non-negotiables about hard work because if people in Blackpool have parted with their hard-earned cash to support their football club there’s some effort, togetherness, teamwork, discipline that are set standards that can not be deviated from and if they do they shouldn’t be in the football club.

“Then on top of that, yes you want to see attacking football, you want to see balls in the box, you want to see people like Connor Ronan with his little flicks and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall with his crossfield passes, Liam Feeney getting the ball in the box and Sullay Kaikai with his free kick against Fleetwood. You want to see all that on top.

“Most supporters want to see a high-octane, a high press, entertaining style of football and we have to find the right person who is capable of delivering that.

“More importantly, we have to give them the tools for them to do it with.”