Blackpool plot move for Charlie Adam to replace Steve Bruce | OneFootball

Charlie Adam was a fans' favourite at Bloomfield Road during his playing days

Blackpool FC cult hero Charlie Adam is the latest name to enter the frame as the next potential figure in the Bloomfield Road hotseat following the recent departure of Steve Bruce.

It has been a disastrous start to the League One season for the Tangerines, who were already looking at the possibility of an extremely long campaign prior to the dismissal of the 64-year-old on October 4th following a 2-0 home defeat to newly-promoted AFC Wimbledon.

As is the case with several of their third tier rivals, there is always a great sense of expectation that hangs over the Lancashire outfit when in the division, even when taking the club's recent tumultuous two-decade period into account that saw them rise to and fall from a solitary Premier League season under Ian Holloway in 2010/11.

The Seasiders have resided in League One for the past two full seasons following relegation from the Championship. There was a sense of belief that the club could build on a solid, but not spectacular, ninth-place finish last term after the aforementioned Bruce took over the managerial reins in September 2024 following the parting of ways with Neil Critchley.

However, 13 months on, owner Simon Sadler is now looking for a third permanent manager or head coach since relegation in 2022/23, with the aforementioned modern-day Scottish cult hero, Adam, the latest to enter the race alongside one of his former teammates.

Charlie Adam enters Blackpool FC managerial frame after Steve Bruce dismissal

As previously mentioned, the start to the season couldn't have panned out much worse for Blackpool, as they currently sit 23rd in League One on a tally of just eight points from the opening 11 games, with only Peterborough United getting off to an even more disastrous start.

Bruce, along with Steve Agnew and Stephen Clemence, departed the club following the weekend defeat against Johnnie Jackson's side, with Stephen Dobbie and Steve Banks in interim charge whilst the hierarchy conduct a swift search for a replacement.

Amid a handful of names already linked with the vacancy, the latest on this particular front, according to a fresh report from Alan Nixon, is Adam.

Nixon states the 39-year-old is in the frame largely due to how highly regarded he is by people at the club and supporters, although the chances of such circumstances coming to fruition could depend on the appointment of a senior figure to work alongside him.

The creative midfielder scored 34 times and provided 22 assists in just 98 appearances for Blackpool between 2008 and 2011, initially joining on loan from Rangers before the striking of a £500k transfer agreement in the summer of 2009.

His two permanent seasons at Bloomfield Road cemented his legacy, with Adam spearheading an unexpected promotion to the Premier League with 19 goals in all competitions in 2009/10, which included a stunning free-kick at Wembley in the Championship play-off final against Cardiff City.

After continuing to impress in the club's solitary top-flight season, he would move to Liverpool for £7.5m. But, 14 years later, he could be set to return.

Adam is currently Loan Manager with Premier League Burnley, with his only managerial experience coming with neighbours, Fleetwood Town between December 2023 and 2024, in which he won 14 of 39 games in charge, earning a win percentage of 29%, as the Cod Army were initially relegated from League One in his first half-season at Highbury.

Charlie Adam isn't the only ex-Blackpool player linked as Steve Bruce replacement

Adam isn't alone in being the only figure with pre-established connections to the club linked with the vacancy, as the same applies to both Ian Evatt and Richie Wellens.

Evatt has been available ever since his departure from Bolton Wanderers in January, having previously overseen a promotion from League Two in his first season at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in 2020/21, before gradually progressing the Whites up the third tier standings to two unsuccessful play-off campaigns in 2023 and 2024, whilst also winning the EFL Trophy against Plymouth Argyle in April 2023.

Wellens is currently in work at League One rivals Leyton Orient, having made great strides of progress at the East London club in such a short period of time.

The O's were promoted as League Two during his first full-season at Brisbane Road in 2022/23, and last season, mounted a remarkable run towards the third tier play-offs, finishing sixth on the final day of the regular season before losing out on promotion at Wembley against Charlton Athletic.

However, there are two sticking points when it comes to the appointment of Wellens. The first is a potential compensation package of almost £1m - as reported by Nixon - whilst Football League World exclusively revealed he is on a three-man managerial shortlist at Luton Town alongside Luke Williams and Jack Wilshere, with the Hatters parting company with Matt Bloomfield on Monday.