Teacher passes on knowledge to pupil: Ten years on from Blackpool's Premier League promotion

We’re dipping into the archives each day to bring you STEVE CANAVAN’S Gazette reports from a decade ago on Blackpool’s remarkable journey to the promised land.

Ten years ago, Ian Holloway picked up some advice about managing in the top flight...

Ian Holloway’s mentor and best mate in football has saluted his achievement in getting the Seasiders up to the Premier League.

Gerry Francis managed Holloway at Bristol Rovers and QPR and later helped him find his feet in management.

The pair crossed swords this past season during Pool’s Carling Cup clash at Premier League Stoke City, where Francis is part of the coaching set-up.

Francis says he was impressed with Blackpool then, and he is delighted Holloway’s team have made it to the top flight.

“I’m just really pleased for him because he has never managed in the Premier League and I know how much he wanted to. He has got that opportunity now,” said Francis, who wrote the foreword to Holloway’s autobiography.

“It is going to be really tough keeping them up but what a tremendous achievement simply getting them up

“With the resources Blackpool have, people were wondering whether they would avoid relegation at the start of the season.

“Yet Ian has taken them up, and the way they have played has been so impressive.

“When we played them in the Carling Cup we found ourselves 2-0 down and had to bring some of our first-team players on to win – but only just.

“He has kept that belief going and what a magnificent achievement, not only for Ollie but for Blackpool.”

But as much as he admires the management skills of his friend, Francis says Holloway will need to continue improving and learn quickly to adapt to life in the Premier League.

“It is going to be tough for him because it is a massive step up from the Championship to the Premier League, not just for players but for managers,” explained Francis.

“Tactically and technically it is another level, and there are certain things you learn with experience.

“But you don’t get a lot of experience sometimes because you are out so quickly. You get up and you go straight back down.

“Billy Davies was gone 14 games after getting Derby up and that happens so many times.

“What you need is a board and a chairman that understands the situation.

“It is a fantastic achievement, particularly in Ollie’s case, so the board have to understand that there is a very good chance they will come back down again and you have to plan for that.

“It is possible for the team to stay up, but if they do go down they have to make sure that with the parachute money they can come back up stronger.

“It is going to be very tough for them to stay there but I’m sure Ian will enjoy trying.”

Holloway has already stated that he’ll give his current squad the opportunity to prove they are good enough to play in the Premier League.

But he will also have to bring in new faces, and Francis believes it is vital to buy wisely.

He added: “I think they will make investments but it will have to be within the structure of the club.

“What happens sometimes is that you go absolutely berserk financially.

“You can go way over the top and by Christmas you find yourself in a dire situation, so you spend again during the window.

“And that can leave you in real trouble when you go down.

“You end up having to sell players because you can’t pay the wages and it all gets difficult.

“So I think Blackpool have to do it in a structured way. If they stay up, fantastic; but if they don’t, then they have to invest in the correct way to be in a good position to come back up stronger.”