Heart of Midlothian head coach Neil Critchley retired from playing at the age of 24 to focus on coaching.
He started off doing scouting and first-team analysis for Crewe Alexandra in 2001 and by 2007 he was named the club’s academy director alongside James Collins.
Critchley also worked alongside future England coach Steve Holland at Crewe’s renowned academy before leaving to join Liverpool as a youth coach in 2013. There he drew praise from players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold for aiding their development.
Born in Crewe, the 46-year-old then made his first steps into management in 2020, taking Blackpool to the Championship via a play-off final victory at Wembley and keeping the Seasiders in the English second tier the next season.
A short spell as part of Steven Gerrard’s coaching team at Aston Villa followed before an even shorter spell at Queens Park Rangers and a second spell at Blackpool.
Critchley was appointed Hearts head coach in October 2024, replacing Steven Naismith who was sacked the previous month after the club’s worst-ever start to a season.
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