Blackpool confident of retaining Ian Holloway as manager

Holloway has worked miracles at Blackpool (COLIN McPHERSON)

Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston insists that Ian Holloway will still be the club's manager next season.

Under Holloway, the Seasiders won promotion to the Barclays Premier League for the first time via the Championship play-offs last May, and with three games left to play this term they are above the relegation zone, albeit on goal difference.

Those achievements - as well as Blackpool's attacking brand of football - have earned the former Plymouth and Leicester boss many admirers and reports have suggested he could be potential summer target for West Ham.

Oyston sees no reason to believe Holloway will be going anywhere.

"It is still in our hands, which is a fantastic achievement by the manager and the team," Oyston told the Blackpool Gazette.

"I think we'd all have settled for it being in our hands with three games to go.

"But the only time the league table matters is after the final whistle on the last day.

"I think we'll give it our best shot and the team will do the very best they can, which is all we can expect from them.

"Whatever happens, we've had a fantastic season. I certainly hope Ian will be manager next season.

"And unless he's told you different, he will definitely be the manager here next season."

Oyston feels that should Blackpool fail to beat the drop, they will be in a good position to push for promotion again.

"I think we've got a really good, positive manager, who has an eye for talent and can get the best out of people," Oyston said.

"If the worst happens - which hopefully it won't - I think we'll have as good a chance of coming back up as anyone if we all keep together. We will be a strong club forever."