Lee Clark succeeds Riga as Blackpool manager

London: English second-tier strugglers Blackpool announced the appointment of Lee Clark as manager on Thursday, just 10 days after he was sacked by fellow-Championship side Birmingham City.

Clark, 42, has signed a one-year rolling contract and succeeds Belgian Jose Riga, who was dismissed on Monday after a disappointing 15-game spell that left Blackpool seven points from safety at the foot of the table.

"I am absolutely delighted," Clark told the Blackpool website.

"The main objective is to try and keep the club in the Championship and build from there. It is a big challenge because of our position in the league, but it`s a challenge that can be overcome."

Clark, who led Birmingham to 12th and 21st-place finishes in his two seasons at St Andrew`s, is Blackpool`s fifth permanent manager since Ian Holloway left to join Crystal Palace in November 2012.