Former Liverpool coach once touted as potential Klopp successor now 'fighting to save his job'

Former Liverpool academy coach Neil Critchley is 'fighting to save his job' as manager of Queens Park Rangers, according to reports.

Critchley replaced Rangers-bound Michael Beale in the role in November, having spent the first part of the campaign as assistant manager to Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa.

Critchley is currently in his second senior managerial role, having spent two years at Blackpool between 2020 and 2022. He guided the Seasiders to promotion from League One, via the play-offs, in his first full campaign, before keeping them in the Championship last term.

After his appointment at QPR, Critchley won his first game in charge of the club, beating Preston North End 1-0 at Deepdale on December 17.

But the R's have not won any of their last nine league games since then, and were knocked out of the FA Cup at the third round stage by League One Fleetwood, who are managed by Celtic legend Scott Brown.

Now, it appears Critchley's job is under pressure.

Critchley under pressure at QPR

According to talkSPORT, the ex-Liverpool academy boss is now 'fighting to save his job' at the Championship club.

The side's latest defeat was a 3-0 home defeat to Sunderland, and they have not won at Loftus Road since October 22. They are nine points above the relegation places.

Speaking after the defeat, Critchley said: "We are all feeling it big time. It's a tough moment that we are in as a football club so we have to look at ourselves.

"Every day we step into the building we have a choice to make, we can either make excuses or we can accept responsibility for our own actions.

"I know what we need to do to improve, I am quite clear in my head what I need to do but we have to do something about it as soon as possible."

At Liverpool, the 44-year-old started out as an U18s coach in 2013, before becoming the U18s manager. He twice stood in for Jurgen Klopp as the first team manager, taking charge of games in the League Cup and FA Cup whilst the senior Liverpool squad and staff were on other assignments.

When he was in charge of Blackpool, Liverpool.com journalist James Martin tipped him as a potential successor to Klopp in the future, although for now his full focus is on improving QPR's form.

Topics: Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, QPR, EFL Championship

Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.