3 managers Blackpool FC must consider after Steve Bruce sack ft. ex-Bolton Wanderers boss & Spanish coach | OneFootball

With Bruce axed at Bloomfield Road, struggling Blackpool are on the hunt for a new manager

A 2-0 home defeat to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday proved to be the final straw for Steve Bruce at Blackpool, as he was relieved of his duties as head coach just hours after the final whistle.

The Tangerines have got off to a rotten start in League One this season, as they sit 23rd in the table, having won just two of their opening 11 matches, and picking up just eight points from an available 33.

It seems that the writing has been on the wall for Bruce for a while now, as he was heavily backed by the board in the summer, but has been unable to deliver results with his new squad, and he paid the price with his job.

The former Newcastle United boss becomes the second sacking in League One this season, after Mike Dodds was given the boot by fellow strugglers Wycombe Wanderers, and now the Seasiders must seek a replacement.

With that in mind, Football League World have drawn up a three-man shortlist of realistic candidates that Blackpool must consider to replace Bruce in the dugout at Bloomfield Road.

3 Ian Evatt

One of the most obvious choices for the role at Blackpool is their former defender Ian Evatt, who has been out of work since January, having left Bolton Wanderers by mutual consent, after almost five years at the club.

The 43-year-old is a popular man at Bloomfield Road, having made well over 200 appearances for the club in his playing days, including every single match in their only season in the Premier League, so his appointment could certainly galvanize the fanbase.

As for his managerial style, Evatt is someone who you know what you will get. His attacking, possession-based approach fits well with the modern game, and will bring the best out of Blackpool's attacking arsenal, which has struggled so far this season.

The former Bolton boss is tried and tested at League One level, having led the Whites to the League One play-off final in 2024, and brought stability to the Lancashire side in a rebuilding phase, which is what Blackpool are crying out for right now.

2 Ruben Selles

This one is the most ambitious of the three candidates on the list, as Ruben Selles has just been sacked by Sheffield United, meaning he would be swapping Bramall Lane for the bottom of League One, at a time when he's low on confidence after a disastrous tenure with the Blades.

After leaving Reading, Selles' managerial career has been in limbo, having failed at both Hull City and Sheffield United. He will now be careful when picking his next challenge as he looks to get his career back on track.

Blackpool could be a great fit for the Spaniard, as he's proven his ability in League One with the Royals whilst working on a shoestring budget, so he could be a smash hit with backing from the ownership group, and could help him regain some of that confidence he's lost thanks to his last two roles.

The 42-year-old's style of football is intensive and aggressive, utilising a high-press to win the ball back high up the pitch, and with the amount of pace the Tangerines have in their frontline, he could certainly bring the best out of this new-look side.

1 Leam Richardson

Just a few years ago, Leam Richardson was touted to be one of the best up-and-coming young managers in the EFL. However, his career hasn't taken off as expected, following his sacking from Rotherham United last year.

The 45-year-old will be keen to get back in the dugout, and a move to Bloomfield Road could be an excellent opportunity for both the club and the manager, as he brings experience of success at League One level.

Richardson won League One with Wigan Athletic in 2022, and whilst there's a long road ahead for Blackpool to get anywhere near the top of the division, this will be the ultimate goal for the club, and the former Latics boss could be the perfect fit for that long-term project.