Blackpool has announced that head coach Neil Critchley has signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract.

The former Liverpool Under-23s boss has been a revelation since arriving at Bloomfield Road in March 2020, transforming the Seasiders from a mid-table League One club to a team now chasing promotion to the Premier League.

Having recorded 36 wins and just 21 defeats from his 79 matches in charge, the 43-year-old may have potentially been on the radar of some bigger clubs.

However, Critchley has decided to commit his future to the Tangerines, penning a deal which will keep him tied to Blackpool until 2026.

Speaking to the club's official website, Critchley said: "I am absolutely delighted. It has been an immensely happy time for me at Blackpool. I've enjoyed every second of being here. I'm thankful to [owner] Simon [Sadler] and the club for showing their commitment towards me. Due to the continued support of Simon, Brett and Ben, this has been an easy decision to make.

"I get to work with a great group of staff and a fantastic group of players who are hungry to improve. We have already shared some success, however we are ambitious and I feel that we still have further development to come. With the support of our incredible fans, I'm hopeful that we can share some more happy times together in the future."

Blackpool currently sit in 10th position in the Championship table, one point adrift of the playoff places. body check tags ::