After only seven months in charge, Blackpool fired head coach Michael Appleton due to an 11-game losing streak.
David Kerslake, an assistant head coach for the Championship team that is now in last place, will also be leaving.
The club expressed gratitude to Michael and David for their work while they were at Bloomfield Road and best wishes for the future in a statement.
In the “coming days,” the Seasiders stated they hope to name a replacement.
In June 2022, Appleton was rehired by Blackpool on a four-year contract to replace Neil Critchley, who had gone to join Steven Gerrard’s backroom staff at Aston Villa.
His second tenure as manager lasted longer than his first, which lasted just 65 days during the 2012–13 season before he left to join Blackburn Rovers with a record of just 2–13.
With the club three points outside of safety in the second division following his departure, 14 of the 24 Championship teams have already changed managers this year.
The former manager of Portsmouth, Oxford United, and Lincoln City departs Blackpool after 29 games, winning seven of them.
Although they just eliminated Premier League team Nottingham Forest from the FA Cup in the third round, their league play has caused them to slide into a relegation struggle.
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Since defeating Coventry on October 29th, the Seasiders have gone winless in the Championship, collecting just four out of a possible 30 points.
Analysis: “Imperative Blackpool rapidly appoint a successor”
Andy Bayes of BBC Radio Lancashire
Although it was barely seven months, Michael Appleton’s second tenure as Blackpool’s manager was slightly longer than the first.
Following a 13-match tenure in command a decade ago, he was aware right away that winning over the fans would be a challenging challenge. However, it never felt like he had accomplished it.
It was difficult for them to win, and their six losses in their previous 10 Championship games really sealed his doom.
The fact that he was permitted to sign three players for the first team this month, including Josh Bowler’s return from loan, may have been the only surprise.
It’s unclear how Blackpool will proceed with their announcement of a new head coach, which they say they plan to make in the next few days. Since Simon Sadler took over, Blackpool has re-hired Michael Appleton and Simon Grayson, two seasoned managers, and given Neil Critchley his first experience in front-line managing.
They must act promptly to give Appleton’s successor the time to evaluate the team and identify any areas that need to be strengthened before January 31.
