Neil Critchley was born on 18 October 1978 and is an English football coach who is currently the head coach of Scottish Premiership club Heart of Midlothian.
16 Facts About Neil Critchley
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Neil Critchley returned to Blackpool in May 2023, but was sacked the following August.
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Neil Critchley signed for Leigh RMI in 2000, and made three league appearances as substitute for the club.
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Neil Critchley retired as a player aged 24 and became a coach at Crewe, working under Gradi and Steve Holland, and being appointed joint Academy director in 2007, before joining Liverpool as under-18s coach in 2013.
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Neil Critchley again served as Liverpool's stand-in manager for the FA Cup fourth round replay against Shrewsbury Town on 4 February 2020, as the first team were on a mid-season break.
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On 2 March 2020, Neil Critchley was appointed as head coach of Blackpool on a three-and-a-half-year contract.
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Neil Critchley chose Mike Garrity to be his assistant, the two having worked together at Liverpool.
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On 19 November 2021, Neil Critchley signed a four-year extension to his contract, keeping him at Bloomfield Road until 2026.
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On 2 June 2022, Neil Critchley departed Blackpool after accepting the role of assistant head coach to Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.
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Neil Critchley had told Blackpool's owner Simon Sadler that he was keen to work again with Gerrard and "pit himself against some of the best coaches in the world".
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On 21 October 2022, Neil Critchley departed Aston Villa, following the sacking of Gerrard the day prior.
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On 11 December 2022, Neil Critchley was appointed head coach of Championship club Queens Park Rangers on a three-and-a-half-year deal.
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Neil Critchley's first match in charge was a single-goal victory over Preston North End.
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On 19 February 2023, Neil Critchley was relieved of his duties as head coach of Queens Park Rangers, with the victory over Preston North End being the team's sole victory during his time in charge.
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On 23 May 2023, Neil Critchley returned to his former club Blackpool, on a four-year deal, following their relegation to League One.
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On 15 October 2024, two months after departing Blackpool, Neil Critchley was appointed the new head coach of Scottish Premiership club Heart of Midlothian, succeeding Steven Naismith.