Ipswich Town defender Elkan Baggott has a new head coach at loan club Blackpool. 

The 21-year-old defender joined the League One side on loan for the season with Neil Critchley in charge but following back-to-back defeats to start the campaign he was sacked last month. 

 

 

They have now appointed Steve Bruce on a two-year deal, who had been out of work since being sacked by West Bromwich Albion in October 2022 following a nine-month spell in charge.

The 63-year-old has managed more than 1,000 competitive matches for clubs including Birmingham City, Hull City, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Baggott is currently out of action for the Seasiders having picked up an ankle injury in training. He has sat out their last three games. 

Richard Keogh became first-team coach at Blackpool this summer after retiring from football.Richard Keogh became first-team coach at Blackpool this summer after retiring from football. (Image: PA)

Former Ipswich Town defender Richard Keogh, who took charge on a interim basis after Critchley was sacked, said of Baggott: “He’s improving slowly, but unfortunately it was a proper whack.

“It’s just aggravating in certain things, but he’s making good progress. We’ve just got to be mindful, we don’t want to push him back too soon which could mean he’ll be out for longer."

The Indonesian international has made three appearances for the Seasiders so far as they sit 22nd in the third tier.