Holloway back in the limelight at Blackpool

Ian Holloway returned to football management today with Blackpool - a fitting home for the entertainer whose post-match one-liners are as well known as his managerial skills.

The respected 46-year-old former Bristol Rovers, QPR, Plymouth Argyle and Leicester City boss travelled north today to finalise his appointment with the Coca-Cola Championship side.

Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston said: "We are delighted to be able to welcome a manager of Ian's calibre to Bloomfield Road.

"He is a very professional and thorough person who ticked all the boxes and who has an excellent track record. He is hungry to take the club forward."

Steve Thompson, who was also on the shortlist for the post, is set to be Holloway's no.2.

Blackpool will be Holloway's fifth League club in a 13-year-managerial career.

He had 18 seasons as a professional player from 1981 which included several seasons in the top flight with QPR and three stints with hometown side Bristol Rovers who he then managed from 1996 to 2001.

Holloway quotes:

After beating Cardiff 1-0 at Loftus Road...

"I couldn't be more chuffed if I were a badger at the start of the mating season."

On letting Pete Doherty train with the R’s...

"Anybody who is a QPR fan is welcome at Loftus Road. I'd be happy for him to turn up for a kickabout, just so long as he brings that Kate Moss with him - she's absolutely lovely."

On strikers...

"I always say that scoring goals is like driving a car. When the striker is going for goal, he's pushing down that accelerator, so the rest of the team has to come down off that clutch.

"If the clutch and the accelerator are down at the same time, then you are going to have an accident."

After the play off final defeat...

"It's one of my proudest days in football, but I've caught the bouquet again, I'm always the bridesmaid."

On the height of his defence against Leicester...

"We had a monster team out there, all the big guys, the roof inspectors as I call them."

On footballers being like cars...

"Paul Furlong is my vintage Rolls Royce and he cost me nothing. We polish him, look after him, and I have him fine tuned by my mechanics. We take good care of him because we have to drive him every day, not just save him for weddings."

On his QPR squad...

"My lot are the ugliest team ever to have worn the blue and white hoops - we certainly don't sell many calendars! In my playing days we had some right good looking bastards. But this lot are the worst I have ever seen! They all look like dogs."