Former Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell named as Crawley Town interim boss
Kevin Blackwell replaces former Blade Kazim-Richards as Crawley Town interim boss
Former Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell has been named interim boss at Crawley Town following the sacking of ex-Blade Colin Kazim-Richards on Tuesday.
Kazim-Richards, who was dismissed after a 3-2 loss to Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday, played for Sheffield United during the 2006/07 season before making the move back to his home nation, joining Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Crawley currently sit bottom of the League Two table after ten games, leading to Richards being shown the door.
Kazim-Richards’ assistant head coach Julian Gray was also relieved of his duties, along with Director of Football Erdem Konyar as the club looked to start a new chapter.
Blackwell succeeded previous Blades manager Bryan Robson in February 2008, and was let go just three games into the 2010/11 season, following a 3-0 home defeat to Queens Park Rangers.
United had failed to secure a win in their opening three games.
The Crawley Town interim boss was in charge of 125 games at United and notably took the Blades to Wembley in the 2008/09 Championship play-off final, losing to Burnley 1-0.
The 67-year-old’s latest job saw him in charge of a Thailand side, Nakhon Ratchasima, and he hasn’t managed in England since he was sacked as Bury boss in October 2013.
Blackwell has been appointed on a short-term basis, while Crawley look for a permanent replacement in hopes of escaping the relegation zone. They are currently six points adrift, but have two games in hand over Rotherham United, who sit 22nd on 11 points.
When announcing Blackwell as interim boss, Crawley Town said, “The search for our next permanent manager is at an advanced stage. We have interviewed a number of strong candidates, identified our preferred targets and are working towards finalising the appointment.
“Kevin will be joined by Jordan Tait, who will serve as Assistant Coach during this period. Together, they will take responsibility for first team training and lead the side into Saturday’s fixture,” they added.