Holloway: I was talked out of Blackpool return...by Karl Oyston

The manager who led the Seasiders into the Premier League claims Oyston described the atmosphere around the club as “poisonous” and rejected his offer to “get Blackpool back in the Championship”.

The Gazette revealed last May that the club legend was interested in a return to Bloomfield Road only for Oyston to appoint Neil McDonald instead.

Now Holloway has revealed what actually prevented his return to the club he managed so successfully from 2009-12.

Describing a call he made to Oyston last summer, Holloway said: “I’ve got a great idea to get you back in the Championship. ‘Sounds promising,’ replied Oyston. ‘What is it?’ It’s me – I’m offering to come back.”

But Holloway told the Daily Mirror that Oyston’s response was less than welcoming.

“He said, ‘You’re better off out of this atmosphere. It’s too intimidating, too poisonous’ – and although it was sad to hear, unfortunately it was true,” said Holloway.

“I’m absolutely gutted to see the club where it is now and where it may be next season, but I’m glad I didn’t go back last summer.”

Holloway wrote himself into Blackpool folklore by guiding the club to two Championship Play-off finals, winning the first of them.

And he looks back on his time at Blackpool fondly, adding: “We had some unforgettable times together – winning promotion at Wembley, the pride we gave back to the supporters and the town, and all the money we brought to local businesses when Premier League fans came to Blackpool and made a weekend of it.

“It was a privilege and a joy to be involved. We took the club of Stanley Matthews and Stan Mortensen, of Jimmy Armfield and Alan Ball, back where it belonged.

“We were only relegated by one point ... and then we almost did it again.”