Simon Grayson has returned to Blackpool as manager and agreed a two-year contract. Terry McPhillips resigned as manager on Friday and the club have moved quickly to find a replacement. The 49-year-old Grayson began his managerial career with the Seasiders and led them to promotion into the Championship in 2007 before leaving in December 2008 for Leeds. He earned a further three promotions from League One with Leeds, Huddersfield and Preston and has also managed Sunderland and Bradford. Grayson told the club’s official website: “When Terry (McPhillips) made the decision on Tuesday that he wanted to leave, the club contacted me to see whether I would be interested in coming back. “After speaking to (owner) Simon (Sadler), (executive chairman) Michael (Bolingbroke) and (managing director) Ben (Hatton), I thought it was an exciting project to come back to Blackpool and try and take the club forward, especially with the brand new optimism under the new owner. “It’s now a new era and it’s important that we get this football club, with its fantastic history and tradition, back to some good, positive days again.” Topics Simon Grayson, League 1, Blackpool Preston manager backs players after spot-fixing allegations Sunderland sack Grayson after torrid start to season Sacked Grayson hoping for Sunderland resurgence League One play-off final Preview: Preston hoping to end hoodoo West Ham have ‘submitted a formal offer’ to rival Wolves for defender Group-stage heroics mean nothing now, insists Algeria boss Belmadi Well-connected journalist ‘convinced’ Arsenal target ‘will want to leave’ his club Madagascar keen to prolong surprise Africa Cup of Nations run On-loan Chelsea striker Morata to make Atletico move permanent next summer Liverpool proposal ‘most interesting’ for Real Madrid’s €50m Spurs target Why Atletico Madrid may be forced to sell Saul Niguez to Manchester United this summer Bruno Fernandes agrees personal terms with Manchester United – report Friday’s big transfer rumours: Manchester United identify their Paul Pogba replacement New Premier League kits 2019/20: EVERY released home and away shirt
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