Former Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has left Blackpool with yesterday's 3-1 home defeat against relegation rivals Cardiff City proving the final straw. McCarthy took over at Bloomfield Road in mid-January but won just two of his 14 games in charge in all competitions, and picked up only nine points from 13 league games.
He arrived with the Tangerines sitting second-bottom of the Championship table, three points from safety, and leaves with Blackpool in the same league position but with the gap between themselves and safety having widened to seven points. In a statement on Blackpool's official website, the club confirmed that both McCarthy annd his longtime assistant Terry Connor had left by 'mutual consent', adding 'with results on the pitch not improving in recent weeks, the decision has been agreed by both parties that a change is needed'.
McCarthy said: "After recent performances and results, I have thought long and hard and feel this is the best decision for everyone concerned with the football club. I've loved my time here and thank everyone for their support.
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"I wish everyone well going forward.”
Blackpool thanked McCarthy and Connor, and annnounced that senior professional development lead phase coach Stephen Dobbie willtake charge for the remainder of the season. Blackpool could have closed to within a point of Cardiff - who were fourth-bottom - had they won yesterday.
Sunderland face Cardiff next, heading to South Wales on Easter Monday. McCarthy was manager at Sunderland for three years between 2003 and 2006, taking over when the club was already plummeting out of the Premier League.
He led the club to the play-off semi-finals and an FA Cup semi-final in his first full season in charge, before winning the Championship the following year. But he was sacked in March 2006 with the club again heading for relegation from the top flight.
Since leaving Sunderland, he has had managerial spells at Wolves, Ipswich, Cardiff, the Republic of Ireland, and then Blackpool.
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