Former Tranmere manager Gary Brabin has joined League One outfit Blackpool as part of their coaching staff.
Brabin, who left Tranmere in 2016 after just over a year in charge, has most recently been assistant manager with League Two club Port Vale, visiting Prenton Park with the Valiants in August, and was also linked with the Wrexham manager’s job earlier this year.
However, he has now left Vale Park to work alongside new Seasiders’ boss Terry McPhillips as assistant manager. As a former Blackpool player, the move to Bloomfield Road was always going to be attractive to Brabin.
Speaking about the appointment, McPhillips said: “I’m really pleased to bring Brabs on board. He’s someone I’ve known a long time and his appointment is one that will make us stronger.
“He’s obviously an ex-Blackpool player with a big heart and personality, and he’s also a very good coach who buys into everything we’re doing.
“I’m delighted that he’s been able to sort things so quickly and amicably with Port Vale because he was my first and only choice to take on the role.”
While his style of play and playing down of expectations meant that the writing was always on the wall at Prenton Park, Brabin did leave his stamp on the club.
Many of the players he signed when he came to Tranmere still formed the basis of the squad which won promotion back to the Football League in May, including James Norwood, Andy Cook, Steve McNulty, Scott Davies, Jay Harris, Jeff Hughes and Ritchie Sutton.
