Blackpool bring in former Preston North End and Oldham Athletic coach amid relegation scrap
He has returned to PNE’s arch-rivals
Former Preston North End coach Steve Thompson has joined Blackpool’s backroom staff until the end of the season.
Appointed to the role of assistant coach, the former Bolton Wanderers and Leicester City midfielder has had previous stints with the Seasiders. On two separate occasions, he took charge of the club on a caretaker basis.
Thompson left PNE back in January 2022, having been on board since the summer of 2015. He reunited with Simon Grayson, whom he’d worked alongside at Blackpool, Leeds United and Huddersfield Town.
On his move back to Bloomfield Road, boss Ian Evatt said: “Steve knows exactly what this football club is all about and was really keen to come in and help in any way he can.
“I trust him implicitly, and know how much this football club means to him, particularly after the success we previously had here together. I’m really pleased to welcome him back and look forward to working with him again.”
The 61-year-old makes the move with Blackpool sitting 21st in the League One table, after 36 games. There are five points between 23rd placed Northampton Town and 17th placed Burton Albion.
Thompson said: “I’m really pleased to be back at such a wonderful football club and to be working with the manager and staff once again.
“I’ve had a number of opportunities that have come my way from various clubs recently, but none of them felt right.
“This Club means a great deal to me and I’ll do all I can to help over the final ten games of the season.”