Richard Keogh has not had to wait long after his retirement as a player to land his first job as a manager.
The former Ireland centre-back retired from playing in May of this year, after suffering relegation from the Football League and being released by Forest Green Rovers.
Keogh would soon return to football, returning to former club League One side Blackpool as Neil Critchley's first-team coach.
However, it has not been a strong start to the season for the Tangerines.
Though they progressed to the second round of the EFL Cup with a routine 4-0 win over Burton Albion, they sit in the relegation zone of League One after two straight defeats to Crawley Town and Stockport County.
Blackpool narrowly missed out on the playoffs in agonising fashion last season but, even with that performance taken into account, the club have decided it is time to part ways with head coach Neil Critchley.
The club announced on Wednesday that Critchley had been sacked, and it has opened up a first shot at management for Richard Keogh.
READ HERE: Report: Arsenal Set To Massively Benefit After Big Money Move For Irish Defender
READ HERE: Reports: Left-Field Premier League Club Plotting Bid For Dara O'Shea
Richard Keogh appointed interim manager at Blackpool
In a statement on Wednesday morning, Blackpool announced the departure of Neil Critchley as head coach, with Richard Keogh set to take over on an interim basis.
The Club can confirm Richard Keogh will take charge of the side on an interim-basis, starting with this weekend's trip to Cambridge United.
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) August 21, 2024
Critchley was in his second stint as Blackpool manager before his dismissal. He had previously managed the club between 2020 and 2022, before returning to the role ahead of the 2023-24 season.
The early favourite to take over the job on a permanent basis is ex-Preston and Plymouth manager Ryan Lowe.
However, before a permanent boss is appointed, it will be Richard Keogh's duty to prepare the side for their upcoming fixtures.
Keogh's first game in charge comes away against Cambridge United this Saturday at 3pm, with another League Cup game against Wycombe Wanderers to come before the end of the month.
He is also likely to be in charge for next Tuesday's EFL Cup round two game against Championship side Blackburn Rovers.
Keogh previously played for Blackpool in the 2021-22 season, starring in a memorable kit launch video which spawned an immortal Irish football meme.
The former defender won 26 caps for the Republic of Ireland during a six-year international career.
Even when one considers that he had previously been a first-team coach with the club, it is a major surprise to see Richard Keogh thrown into a head coach role so early in his post-playing career.
It will certainly be intriguing to track the Irishman's progress.
SEE ALSO: Roy Keane's Istanbul Remark Drew Fascinating Rafa Benitez Admission
