Oyston – Ollie staying put

Holloway: Vital to Blackpool’s plans going forward

Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston is adamant Ian Holloway will still be in charge of the club next season.

Reports have suggested that the Seasiders boss, who has enhanced his reputation considerably this season, is a summer target for a number of clubs.

West Ham are said to be among those planning a raid, should they decide to part company with Avram Grant.

Oyston, though, has sought to play down the rumours by insisting that his manager is going nowhere.

He claims there is no chance of Holloway being allowed to leave the club, even if Blackpool come up short in their efforts to preserve their Premier League status.

He told the Blackpool Gazette: “It is still in our hands, which is a fantastic achievement by the manager and the team.

“I think we’d all have settled for it being in our hands with three games to go.

Best shot

“But the only time the league table matters is after the final whistle on the last day.

“I think we’ll give it our best shot and the team will do the very best they can, which is all we can expect from them.

“Whatever happens, we’ve had a fantastic season. I certainly hope Ian will be manager next season. And unless he’s told you different, he will definitely be the manager here next season.”

Oyston has also sought to play down fears that Blackpool will struggle to bounce back should they slip through the top-flight trapdoor.

He said: “I think the supporters who say that are the same ones who said we’d never come up in the first place, so my message would be to keep the faith and keep supporting the team. Try to be positive.

“I think we’ve got a really good, positive manager, who has an eye for talent and can get the best out of people.

“If the worst happens, which hopefully it won’t, I think we’ll have as good a chance of coming back up as anyone if we all keep together. We will be a strong club forever.”