From the Seaside to the Top - A Blackpool Story

I miss football. Punditry has been fun, and it's been nice to get away from the stress after so long. But still, I can't get the thought out of my head of perhaps going back...

I called my brother yesterday to congratulate him. Michael had just been appointed manager of Swansea, and I was ecstatic for him. I sort of miss those days, when we'd put on that Denmark shirt together and terrorize every defense we played. I hope I'll be able to do some of his games, we can catch up on the lost time.



When I called him, though, I couldn't help but feel jealous. Why should he be the only one continuing in football? Sure, commentating on games is part of football, and a very enjoyable job, but I wanted to get back to the week in, week out joys of being at a club. I wanted to be a coach, maybe, perhaps a director of football, but mostly, I wanted to be a manager. I'd picked up my coaching badges after retirement, and on the phone with Michael when I confessed by dream, he told me, "Brother, don't rule anything out. Find an opening, an ex player like you will certainly be considered. Who knows, anything can happen. I'm managing in the Premier League, after all!"

I quit pondering my life and stepped out of my study. It was almost 7:00. Mette would have dinner ready soon, and I wanted to check the news. I walked into the living room and glanced at the TV.

Reporter: The report is in, Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has been sacked! After relegation directly after promotion to the Premier League and failing to attain promotion last season again, Blackpool has lost patience with their boss and decided to let him go. The favorite for the job is enigmatic Swindon boss Paolo De Canio. We'll have more on the story when we learn more."



So the post is open at Blackpool, then? "Who knows, anything can happen."

"Time to send an email," I said to myself, suddenly invigorated. Could I possibly get back into football now?

Brilliant start mate, can't wait to read this

Looks brilliant, can't wait for this too start!

A long and awaited Brian Laudrup story. Cang wait!

I've had a successful season with Blackpool before the save crashed. Good luck!

I couldn't believe it. I absolutely could not believe it.

I'd sent in my CV a few days ago to Blackpool, but to be honest, I didn't expect much in return but a courtesy "no". Sure, I used to be pretty good on the pitch, and I've won a lot, but I don't have any experience at all as backroom staff, let alone as a manager. And then I got this email back.

Brian Laudrup,

Thank you for applying to our vacant post as manager of Blackpool Football Club. Your CV impressed us very much, and we are honored that an ex-player of your caliber would want to take the helm of our club. Please meet us at Bloomfield Road in two days' time at 7:00 pm GMT and we'll speak about the availability of the job.

Thank you,
Karl Oyston
Blackpool FC Owner

They actually considered me, and more than that they actually want to interview me! It was probably the happiest moment of my life after retirement not counting my children, and I hadn't even been appointed yet. They sent an attached plane ticket to Blackpool for tomorrow morning.

I spoke with Mette, and she was very supportive. Nicolai and Rasime were excited as well, and wouldn't stop asking if they could come to the games. I hope I get the job even more now, just so I don't disappoint their happy little faces. My bags and packed and ready, so I got into bed. An exhausting and exciting day, overall. I can't wait for the interview.

Good luck Neal

Awesome start, Neal. Good luck!

A great start to the story Neal. Keep it up.

It was finally time. I had my very best suit on and looked confident in the mirror, but on the inside my stomach was churning.



I hadn't been this stressed since my last cup final. I laughed quietly to myself as I pulled into the lot at the staff side of Bloomfield Road. What a beautiful stadium, and what a great atmosphere I'd heard was inside.



I stepped inside and was greeted by a friendly looking clerk whose name tag read 'Emma'. The place seemed larger than it looked from the outside, and Blackpool banners ran along the walls. I checked my watch: 7:45. Perfectly early.

"Good morning Mr. Laudrup, welcome to Bloomfield Road!" welcomed Emma. I smiled in return.

"Please, call me Brian." She seemed surprised at my competence in English. I only played in Scotland for 8 years or so.

"Of course, Brian. Mr. Oysten is waiting for you in Conference Room A, down the hall and to the right. Good luck!"

I nodded my thanks and began walking the direction she'd gestured. I found the room easily enough. Do I knock? Of all the things to trip me up, it was this. I almost laughed out loud. Thankfully at this precise moment, a stressed looking man with brown hair and glasses opened the door.



"Ah, hello Mr. Laudrup. Welcome to Bloomfield Road! I was just about to check if you were in yet. Come in, come in, the directors are already seated." So this was Karl Oysten. Perhaps not the least controversial man in the world, but he was the man I'd have to impress to land the job.

We walked into the conference room, and I saw the other directors seated just as Mr. Oysten had told me. He gestured to an open seat at the end of table, and took his own seat at the head.

"Well, Mr. Laudrup, thank you for coming today," Oysten opened.

"Please, call me Brian. It is a pleasure to be here, and I am honored to be considered for the job." The nerves started to melt away. I could do this.

"We're happy to have you here. Firstly, what are your expectations for Blackpool this season?"

"Well, last season we barely missed out on getting back to the Premier League, and that's where I believe the club needs to be. This season I definitely think we can rectify that and make the leap back to the Premier League."

"What style of football will you be looking to bring to Blackpool? We want results, but we also want attractive results."

"I couldn't agree more, Mr. Oysten." So far so good. "I think we have the players that can play a very attractive, passing style of football, similar to how Michael and I used to play at Denmark."

It was smooth sailing from there, I could tell the directors liked me. I was asked numerous questions about finances and the fans and whatnot until eventually Mr. Oysten stood up and said to me, "That'll be all. Thanks for coming here today, I'll send you an email within a day or two telling you our decision."

"The pleasure's all mine. Nice meeting you all, have a nice day." I left, feeling confident I'd gotten the job and that I'd impressed them with my knowledge of the game. Time for some food. I'm starving.

Good luck! Try getting a young Derby defender! I don't recall his name atm!

I couldn't count as high as how many times I'd refreshed the page, waiting impatiently for an email from Mr. Oysten. After about an hour of doing this, Mette started to get worried about my mental stability, and then even more so when I shouted, "Yes!"

1 new email.

Brian Laudrup,

I'm happy to inform you that the Board of Directors and I have decided you are the right man for the job. We were very impressed by your credentials, your professionalism at the interview, and your goals for the club. Please be back at Bloomfield Road tomorrow at 4:00 pm GMT to discuss contact details.

Thank you,
Karl Oysten
Blackpool FC Owner

They accepted! They actually accepted me! I began to dance a little, like the old jigs we'd do at training when we scored a backheel or something ridiculous. I hugged my wife and kids, ecstatic at this wondrous news.

I returned the email, and the next day I met Mr. Oysten at Bloomfield Road once more. We agreed on a one year deal, to avoid risks in case I turned out to be a flop. A bit harsh but a fair judgement. I was on 3,800 pounds a week, which wasn't horrible. It's not like I wasn't still well off from a career in football after all.

It was a bit rough on the kids to make the move to Blackpool, but hopefully we'll go from the seaside to the top of Europe.

Nice work Neal, will be great to see how this compares to your Inter story!

Will be following

It's brilliant so far, Neal! Your writing skills have really improved Great job so far, will be following with vigour

Finally, my first day on the job! My office was quite nice, and I got to meet a number of my staff. The first thing I did, though, was take a walk around the interior of Bloomfield Road. What a ground. A ground definitely worthy of Premier League football.



When I got back, I sat down at my desk, wondering what to do next. My indecision was delightfully spared by the entrance of my assistant manager, Steve Thompson. "Good morning Mr. Laudrup!"

"Good morning, Steve, please, call me Brian." He seemed enthusiastic enough, let's see how great his footballing brain was.

"Well, Brian, welcome to the club. I've got a report on all the players at the squad ready here for you, you can take a look when you like. I've also attached a few tactical ideas, though I'm certain you've got plans and ideals of your own to implement here."

I looked at them briefly and replied, "I'll look over them, thank you very much. I'll let you know if I need anything else, thank you for the welcome to the club!" Steve nodded, smiled, and left promptly. I looked at the reports he'd left me.


The squad looks quite strong in a number of positions. The central midfielders and wingers look really good on the ball, and so I think the style of play I would like to implement will definitely be able to work. Having analyzed the team, I recognized three key players that would lead the way to success this season for the club.


Barry Ferguson, our aging captain, will serve a very important part of our midfield. Despite his age, he is a wonderful passer and is very determined, and can help us control the midfield, something very important in the style I want to implement.


Neal Eardley will be an important part of our team this season. He is an attack minded right fullback who is a solid defender but more importantly will aid the attack very often. He is an excellent dribbler and crosser, and will serve as our "Dani Alves" if you will.


Tom Ince will be our leader in attack. Serving as an explosive left winger, the son of the legend Paul Ince is an extremely quick and a great dribbler. He also has a lot of potential to become a high quality Premier League player, and thankfully is tied to the club for a few years to come.

I also came up with a primary tactic our team would use. After spending so many years with Michael in our free flowing Denmark set up, I decided I wanted to recreate those beautiful days. We didn't have quite the same players available, so I made a few tweaks before the final product was ready.


I want the team to play an attacking, quick, short passing game. Our players have the creativity, passing, and pace to be able to break down any team. I want the team to play a high line so that we play the majority of the game in the opposition's half and dominate the game. Hopefully this tactic will bring attractive football back to Blackpool and bring promotion along with it.

The preseason starts soon, and we started working on training today. The players are all committed, and I can already feel this will be a good season.