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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Guardian sport

Neil Critchley leaves Blackpool to join Aston Villa as Steven Gerrard’s assistant

Neil Critchley Blackpool Steven Gerrard Aston Villa Villa Liverpool [ Jurgen Klopp EPL FA Cup
Neil Critchley applauds Blackpool supporters in the Championship last season
Neil Critchley applauds Blackpool supporters in the Championship last season. Photograph: James Gill/Getty Images

Aston Villa have appointed the former Blackpool manager Neil Critchley as Steven Gerrard’s new assistant.

Critchley – who led Blackpool to promotion to the Championship in 2021 after a playoff win over Lincoln – will once again link up with Gerrard whom he knows from his days at Liverpool. The 43-year-old replaces Michael Beale, who became the new Queens Park Rangers manager this week.

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