Neil Critchley

Critchley, aged 10, joined Crewe Alexandra in 1989. The club was then managed by Dario Gradi who had recently started a player development scheme that became the Crewe Alexandra F.C. Academy. Gradi noticed Critchley's ability, even at the age of 17, to coach younger players and encouraged him to become more fully involved. Critchley's only playing appearance for Crewe came in a 3–0 defeat away at Fulham during the 1999–2000 season. He signed for Leigh RMI in 2000, and made three league appearances as substitute for the club.

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.

Liverpool

Due to fixture congestion of Liverpool's first team during the 2019–20 season, Critchley served as their stand-in manager for their EFL Cup away match against Aston Villa on 17 December 2019. The congestion was caused by Liverpool's participation in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar, which overlapped with the EFL Cup quarter-finals. Liverpool, fielding a team made up exclusively of under-23s, were beaten 5–0. 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. The youthful Liverpool team won 1–0 via an own goal.

Blackpool

On 2 March 2020, Critchley was appointed as head coach of Blackpool on a three-and-a-half-year contract. He chose Mike Garrity to be his assistant, the two having worked together at Liverpool. After a curtailed regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, Blackpool finished in 13th position after standings were amended to reflect a points-per-game ratio. In Critchley's first full season in charge, 2020–21, Blackpool finished third at the conclusion of the regular season, going on to win promotion via the EFL League One play-offs. On 19 November 2021, Critchley signed a…

Critchley is married to Janine.

Blackpool

EFL League One play-offs: 2021 Hearts

Scottish Premiership Manager of the Month: January 2025