Pools must pick again after Cox bid KO
Hartlepool United hope to appoint a new manager today following the breakdown of a move to bring in Paul Cox.
It is understood that plans to attract the Barrow boss had reached an advanced stage.
However, it collapsed yesterday when the Bluebirds insisted they would demand a hefty compensation sum to release the 45-year-old from his contract at Holker Street.
Ex-Mansfield boss Cox had two seasons of a three-year contract still to run, leaving the Cumbrian club in a very strong negotiating position.
And that, seemingly, proved the stumbling block for Pools.
It has not put Pools back to square one, it just means that they are no longer looking to employ the favoured one.
Chairwoman Pam Duxbury, speaking to a public meeting of the Hartlepool United Supporters Trust last night, said Pools had received over 50 applications for the post made vacant by the sacking of Dave Jones with just two matches of the campaign remaining.
Presumably, Duxbury is referring to ‘serious’ candidates, showing just what a pull the hot seat at the Northern Gas & Power Stadium remains, despite the club’s first relegation from the Football League.
Pools now have to go down their list and, while it may prove awkward for club bosses having to offer the job to a second or third choice, it is vital that man is employed quickly.
Incredibly, 19 days have elapsed since the last game and while it would have been wrong to act with haste, the phrase ‘dragging their feet’ seems to sum up the process at the Vic.
That process, following on from the disastrous appointment of Dave Jones, has left Pools looking like a club who appear to have scant clue at what they are doing.
Richard Barker, Sam Collins and Gary Brabin are all still in the running.