Lee Clark has called time on his disappointing reign at relegated Blackpool, after revealing the board has accepted his resignation.
The former Newcastle United midfielder was appointed Bloomfield Road boss in later October, after the club had dismissed Jose Riga. It was always going to be a difficult job for Clark to rescue the Tangerines from relegation even at this early stage of the campaign, which began following a turbulent summer in which they struggled to find enough players to forge a first team squad.
Of the 32 matches the 42-year-old was in charge of, Blackpool won just three, and their relegation to the third-tier of English football was confirmed with six matches of the season still to play. And as the disgruntled supporters plan to launch a bid to wrestle the club from current owner Karl Oyston, it comes as no surprise that Clark has decided to call time on his disappointing reign.
“After a great deal of thought I have come to the decision that it is not in the best interests of either myself or Blackpool Football Club that I continue as manager and have therefore tendered my resignation to the chairman, which he has accepted,” he said. “It only remains to thank my staff, the players, and the supporters and wish them the best of luck for the future.”
Clark began his managerial career at Huddersfield Town, where he quickly earned a reputation as one of the brightest young coaches in England having led them on a Football League record of 43 matches unbeaten. His sacking in February 2012 was something of a surprise, but he failed to build on his reputation at Birmingham City where he won just 33 of his 116-game reign.
Where does Lee Clark go now to rebuild his reputation, and more importantly, what does the future hold for Blackpool in these turbulent times?
