Ian Holloway has often joked about having had his fair share of "gardening leave" over the last couple of seasons, but it’s good to see one of football’s biggest characters back in the game after the 46-year-old agreed to take over the Tangerines on an initial one-year deal.
Holloway, who has replaced Tony Parkes at
Blackpool, previously managed
Bristol Rovers,
QPR,
Plymouth and most recently
Leicester. He is now looking to stamp his colourful personality on the Tangerines.
Q: You must be delighted to have taken over at Blackpool?
A: It’s a great club to be part of and the history here and the passion of the fans is outstanding. I want to give them something to cheer. What the club have achieved over the last couple of years is tremendous and I want to keep that going.
Q: I suppose you are already planning your pre-season programme?
A: I am going to sit down with (coach) Steve Thompson and (physio) Phil Horner and look at the training schedule I want. The players will be given tests, they will be fitter than ever.
You can’t play at this level without being fit. They are fit anyway but I am going to get them even fitter. They are all going to have their own folder, telling them where they stand in the group.
Q: Your teams have always been renowned for being committed and hard-working, haven't they?
A: If you don’t try hard for me, just get out, I don’t want you and I don’t like you. If you are late I’m not interested in you because you are disrespecting us.
The players respond to that. It has worked for me in the past and I am confident it is going to work for me now. I can’t wait to get started.
Q: You have been linked with a transfer swoop for Leicester striker DJ Campbell, who was on-loan at Blackpool last season?
A: DJ will always score goals but he belongs to Leicester, that’s the problem. I know what his wages are now and they have gone up because they got promoted. They also paid a big fee for him.
In realistic terms, is he going to be a Blackpool player? I can’t see us getting him in a million years, if I’m honest – but never give up is my motto. It depends on how he is thought of now they’ve gone up. Do Leicester want him or want rid of him? Who knows.
Q: The supporters have always been important at a club like Blackpool, haven't they?
A: The fans are important at any club – they are vital to keep the finances ticking over. Everyone is aware of the financial situation across the whole world at the moment, it’s very tight.
It’s a new start here and I hope the fans will back us. In return, I know how I want the team to play and I want entertaining, attacking and most importantly winning football.
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