Blackpool have performed a U-turn in appointing a new manager after deciding against employing ex-Claret Brian Flynn.

The Seasiders have been without a permanent boss since Paul Ince’s sacking in January and the former Wrexham boss was set to take over at Bloomfield Road.

It is understood that Flynn’s failure to promptly assemble his backroom staff and the club’s worry surrounding fans’ opinion means they have decided to pull the plug.

The 58-year-old former Wales international, who played 200 games for the Clarets in two popular spells at Turf Moor, has been director of football at Doncaster Rovers after spurning the opportunity to continue in a managerial role at the Keepmoat Stadium when they won promotion two years ago, instead preferring to move upstairs.

Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston is thought to have a handful of candidates he remains interested in. Whoever gets the job has a huge task on their hands.

Under caretaker manager Barry Ferguson they narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship to League One in the final weeks of last season and are a club in disarray with only six contracted players on their books.

Meanwhile, former member of Pool’s coaching staff could be poised to return to the game elsewhere.

Steve Thompson, another ex-Claret, who assisted Simon Grayson, Ian Holloway and Paul Ince at Pool, is being linked with Championship rivals Huddersfield.

Thompson remains a popular figure at Bloomfield Road with some fans wanting him as manager but he is the man Terriers boss Mark Robins wants to assist him at the John Smith’s Stadium.