Neil Critchley

[5] 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.

[10][11] 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.

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.

[18] On 2 June 2022, Critchley departed Blackpool after accepting the role of assistant head coach to Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.

[19] He 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".

[21] On 11 December 2022, Critchley was appointed head coach of Championship club Queens Park Rangers on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

[26] On 15 October 2024, two months after departing Blackpool, Critchley was appointed the new head coach of Scottish Premiership club Heart of Midlothian, succeeding Steven Naismith.

Mike Garrity , Critchley's assistant at Blackpool for both of his stints