Coaching and managerial career
Critchley retired as a player aged 24 and became a coach at Crewe, working under Gradi and Steve Holland, [4] and being appointed joint Academy director in 2007, before joining Liverpool as under-18s coach in 2013. [5]
Liverpool
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. [6] The congestion was caused by Liverpool's participation in the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup in Qatar, which overlapped with the EFL Cup quarter-finals. [7] [8] [9] Liverpool, fielding a team made up exclusively of under-23s, were beaten 5–0. [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. [12] The youthful Liverpool team won 1–0 via an own goal. [13]
Blackpool
On 2 March 2020, Critchley was appointed as head coach of Blackpool on a three-and-a-half-year contract. [14] He chose Mike Garrity to be his assistant, the two having worked together at Liverpool. 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. [15]
In Critchley's first full season in charge, 2020–21, Blackpool finished third at the conclusion of the regular season, going on to win promotion via the EFL League One play-offs. [16]
On 19 November 2021, Critchley signed a four-year extension to his contract, keeping him at Bloomfield Road until 2026. [17] The following week, Critchley was named Manager of the Season at the annual North West Football Awards, beating Manchester City's Pep Guardiola, Blackpool's former captain and now Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt, and Morecambe manager Derek Adams. [18]
Aston Villa (assistant)
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". [20] On 21 October 2022, Critchley departed Aston Villa, following the sacking of Gerrard the day prior. [21]
Queens Park Rangers
On 11 December 2022, Critchley was appointed head coach of Championship club Queens Park Rangers on a three-and-a-half-year deal. [22] His first match in charge was a single-goal victory over Preston North End. On 19 February 2023, Critchley was relieved of his duties as head coach of Queens Park Rangers, with the victory over Preston North End being the team's sole victory during his time in charge. [23]
Return to Blackpool
On 23 May 2023, Critchley returned to his former club Blackpool, on a four-year deal, following their relegation to League One. [24] Mike Garrity also returned as assistant manager, alongside Iain Brunskill for the 2023–24 campaign. [25] Critchley was sacked on 21 August 2024. [26]
Heart of Midlothian
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. [27]
