Jerry Yates will be staying at Blackpool this season despite interest from Championship giants Nottingham Forest and West Bromwich Albion, manager Neil Critchley told the Blackpool Gazette.
After the former Liverpool U23 coach led the Tangerines to promotion during his first full season in a senior coaching role, Critchley’s next challenge is to keep them there.
Fortunately, the man who fired Blackpool back into the big time will be sticking around at Bloomfield Road, expressing his ‘delight’ after putting pen to paper on a new three-year deal late last week.
The Sun reported in June that West Brom were interested in the £5 million-rated poacher, as were a Nottingham Forest side who scored just 37 goals in 46 Championship games last season.
Blackburn Rovers, meanwhile, have identified Yates as a potential successor to talismanic top-scorer Adam Armstrong at Ewood Park, as Southampton and Norwich City flutter their eyelashes at the one-time Newcastle United youngster.
Critchley, however, is just glad to put speculation about Yates’ future on the backburner after months of uncertainty.
Will West Brom and Forest regret missing out on Jerry Yates?
“Jerry was quite clear at the end of the season when I spoke to him that he wanted to be Blackpool’s number nine in the Championship. He’s been adamant in that,” said the 42-year-old tactician.
“Contract situations can always take a bit of time but we’ve come to the conclusion we all wanted. Jerry wanted that, we wanted that and we’re delighted, absolutely delighted.
“He’s been an absolute pleasure to work with. The supporters can identify with him. He’s a player of the people, if you like.
“There has been speculation during the summer, which you can expect for your best players. Maybe this contract will quieten that down a little bit.”
Yates enjoyed the best season of his career in 2020/21, scoring 23 goals for a Blackpool side who defeated Lincoln City in the play-off final.
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