The Lilywhites parted ways with Ryan Lowe one game into the new season after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United.
Mike Marsh oversaw two fixtures as interim boss, but departed the Lancashire club with immediate effect following a 3-0 loss away to Swansea City at the weekend.
The 47-year-old has been out of work since being sacked by Sheffield United last December, after guiding the Blades to the Premier League the season before.
Former Blackpool assistant coach Stuart McCall has joined Heckingbottom at Preston, with the pair having previously spent time together at Bramall Lane.
The ex-Bradford City and Rangers boss had a short stint at Bloomfield Road back in 2021, working alongside Neil Critchley following the Seasiders’ promotion to the Championship.
McCall’s departure came just after just four months, with the 60-year-old leaving Blackpool to join Heckingbottom in South Yorkshire.
Lincoln City were initially said to be looking at the former Nottingham Forest youngster, before it was reported Oxford United had seen two bids rejected.
Last week, Seasiders head coach Neil Critchley stated there had been no fresh approaches for Lawrence-Gabriel, who initially made the move to Bloomfield Road on loan in 2020, before making his stay permanent.
iscussing the wing-back’s absence against Stockport, the Blackpool boss explained: “He’s missed 50 percent of pre-season, his match minutes are the lowest out of everyone in the squad.
“He needs a period of time to train and improve his fitness, having just returned last week.Hopefully we can build up his minutes in the next few weeks and he can stake a claim.”
“Blackpool started well, in the first half I thought they were the better team – they put more crosses into the box, but they had two strikers in Joseph and Fletcher, and neither of them were getting on the end of them,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire after the match.
In the second half they didn’t get going. They made four changes, but they didn’t get into the game and didn’t trouble the goalkeeper.
“Stockport’s substitutions were good and had an effect. They were physical and aggressive. In the end they were well worth it.
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