Terry McPhillips has resigned from his position as manager of League One side Blackpool. The 50-year-old, who was appointed in September 2018 after nine games in caretaker charge, led the Tangerines to a tenth-place finish in the division last season.
Terry McPhillips Resigns as Blackpool Manager
Difficult Circumstances
McPhillips took the role in difficult circumstances last year, assuming a caretaker position when Gary Bowyer surprisingly left just one match into the 2018/19 season. Prior to that, he was an assistant at the Bloomfield Road club.
He won 21 of his 56 games in charge at Blackpool, with a 37.5% win percentage.
‘The Time is Now Right’
McPhillips admitted that he never had any intention of going into management. Instead, he stepped up when the club needed him.
In a statement on the club’s website, he said: “While discussing the option of a new contract, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on things and feel that the time is now right for me to step aside.
“I never really had any intention of becoming a manager, yet I stepped up in difficult circumstances last season because the club needed some stability.
“That stability has now been achieved and an exciting future awaits under Simon’s ownership.”
He continued: “It’s been an honour to manage Blackpool in the short-term, and I will forever cherish the fact that I was in charge of the team when all the fans returned for the homecoming match against Southend United.
“I would like to thank the players and coaching staff for all their efforts and wish everybody connected with the club the very best of luck for the future.”
Current Favourites
According to Sky Bet, former Preston North End and Sunderland boss Simon Grayson leads the way. Blackpool were the first club that Grayson managed back in 2005 before going on to have major success with Leeds United.
Tranmere Rovers boss Micky Mellon is also high on the list of candidates having secured the club’s back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One.
Another former boss in Ian Holloway is among those being touted, while Tangerines legend Charlie Adam, part of the squad during Blackpool’s Premier League days, is being considered as an outsider having left Stoke City at the end of last season.
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