Former Celtic defender Mick McCarthy has made a surprise return to management. The Irishman has been appointed as the manager of English Championship strugglers Blackpool. The 63-year-old has been out of the game since October 2021 after leaving Cardiff but goes to The Seasiders with the single goal of avoiding relegation.
In a statement confirming McCarthy’s arrival until the end of the season, the new Blackpool manager expressed his delighted at taking on the role.
“I’m delighted to be here, I’m delighted to be back in the game.
“I’m thrilled to be back up at a Club where I’ve had many battles in the past and hopefully we can achieve some of the similar success of those years.”
it was also confirmed that Terry Connors, McCarthy’s longtime Assistant, would join him.
Big Mick was part of the side that beat Dundee United in the ’88 Cup Final thanks to a late Frank McAvennie strike. It is a season that will live long in the memory with a team of winners led by the great man, Billy McNeill, that saw Celtic lift a League and Cup Double.
McCarthy joined from Man City in May 1987 in a deal worth £500,000 and the Yorkshire-born defender would win two Scottish Cups and one League title in his two years at Celtic. McCarthy made 64 appearances, scoring once for the Hoops.
Best of luck to Big Mick at Blackpool.
