Sources: Blackpool begin new director of football talks as John Stephenson quits
Blackpool are in talks to bring in a new director of football to Bloomfield Road, sources have told Football Insider.
Current head of football operations John Stephenson is set to step down from his role at the end of the season with the Seasiders now looking to bring in a replacement.
Blackpool have drawn up a list of targets and are beginning talks with candidates as they look to make an appointment to work alongside manager Michael Appleton.
Stephenson has been in his current role for just over two years and oversaw the club's promotion to the Championship at the end of the 2020-21 season.
Before joining the Seasiders, Stephenson had over two decades' worth of experience working in professional football, having held similar positions at Sheffield United, Watford and Brighton & Hove Albion.
He started out in youth and academy football with Reading and Celtic and also held several high-profile consultancy roles before becoming a director.
During Blackpool's first season back in the second tier, the Seasiders finished 16th, avoiding a relegation fight.
However, they have struggled this season and find themselves 23rd in the table after playing 21 games.
They are only one point from safety but have now lost four games on the spin after a 2-1 defeat to Wigan Athletic on 12 November.
Blackpool are next in action against Birmingham City on 10 December.