A native of Kingswood, Bristol, Ian Holloway opted to manage in the North-West for the very first time when he agreed to become the new boss of the Seasiders on May 22, 2009.

The former Bristol Rovers and Queens Park Rangers midfielder became the permanent replacement for previous manager Simon Grayson, after Tony Parkes had initially taken caretaker charge for the remainder of the 2008-2009 campaign.

A popular figure with the media, Holloway started his managerial career with Bristol Rovers in 1996 while continuing as a player. His managerial education continued in 2001 when he was appointed the new manager of Queens Park Rangers, another one of his previous clubs. He was tasked with a near-impossible mission to keep QPR in the old Division One but the time wasn't on his side as the team were relegated. Holloway returned to the division with QPR three seasons later but was placed on gardening leave in 2006 after constant speculation linking him with a move to Leicester City.  

Holloway's next managerial appointment came in June of that year when Plymouth came calling. Home Park became something of a fortress under the new manager, and the Pilgrims continued to progress on the field and establish themselves in the Championship. A move to manage Leicester City did materialise in November 2007 as the Foxes looked to stave off the threat of relegation but despite becoming the first Leicester manager in over 50 years to win his first league game in charge, the team were relegated on the final day of the season.

Holloway left Leicester bitterly disappointed weeks later but has now returned to management after a twelve month sabbatical determined to achieve success with Blackpool.