IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TODAY IN A NUMBER OF MEDIA SOURCES that former Ireland boss Mick McCarty is to take up the manager's job at Championship side Blackpool.
McCarthy has been out of work since leaving Cardiff City by mutual consent in 2021, but it looks now he's set to replace Michael Appelton at Blackpool, who was sacked on Wednesday afternoon.
The 63-year-old has a long detailed career in football that dates all the way back to the Republic of Ireland squad in 2002, where they made it to the World Cup that year.
He's also had spells at club sides like Wolverhampton Wanderers, Ipswich Town, Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia, Sunderland, and second stint as Ireland boss from 2018 to 2020.
A report from football website Football Insider states the deal to bring McCarthy to Blackpool could even be agreed as soon as today.
The former Ireland boss will be tasked with leading the club away from the relegation places. The club are 23rd having taken just 26 points from 27 matches this season.
BREAKING! Mick McCarthy is close to being appointed Blackpool manager until the end of the season ✍️ pic.twitter.com/KxAiVNH26u
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 18, 2023
McCarthy is no stranger to success in England's second division. In previous spells at Sunderland in 2004/05 as well as Wolves in 2008/09, he won the title and led both clubs to the Premier League in different spells.
He's managed over 1,000 games and boasts a win rate of 38.56 per cent.
Some fans on social media have offered mixed views to the appointment
"What is a club like Blackpool going to achieve by employing Mick McCarthy in 2023 ? This is the problem at these clubs. Why not take a chance on a young, exciting manager?," said one Twitter user.
While another said, " We were rock bottom when he arrived and he got us going again. Kept us in the league and then The play offs a few years after. He got players who would run through brick walls for the club. The last 2 years were not great but that’s life Good luck Mick"
His first game if appointed will be the Championship fixture against Huddersfield, which takes place this Saturday at 15.00
