Tough choice for new manager role, says Pools legend Humphreys

Record appearance holder Ritchie Humphreys has called for Hartlepool United to be pragmatic in their appointment of a new manager.

Pools sacked Craig Hignett last Thursday following a run of one win in seven matches which left them sitting 17th in the National League table yet only four points off a play-off place.

Antony Sweeney was placed in temporary charge and led the team to a 3-0 win at Aldershot Town on Saturday.

“It’s never nice when there’s a change of manager,” admitted Humphreys.

“I’ve been there a number of times and it creates some uncertainty but I think the important thing for the players and the fans was the reaction Tony was able to get out of them at Aldershot.”

The United legend contemplated what routes the club could go down in appointing a new manager at Victoria Park.

“The difficulty of owning a football club is that you’ve got to make difficult decisions and a good man has lost his job the other day,” he added.

“Now they’ve got to appoint who they think is the right person. Is that person someone who has been promoted from this division or the division below? Is it someone with 500 games as a manager? Or is it time someone gets given an opportunity? It’s a balancing act for the owners.

“There’s going to be lots of people in for it for sure and a wide range of people. That’s a tough job for the owners to do.”

Humphreys holds a UEFA A licence qualification and briefly took charge of Chesterfield as caretaker in 2017 but was quick to play down any rumours of a return to Pools.

Meanwhile, former Pools skipper Micky Barron is backing former teammate Sweeney.

When discussing the managerial situation, Barron was quick to dismiss a potential candidate for the role.

“I’ll tell you who I don’t want it to be – (Darlington’s) Martin Gray is a no from me,” he said.

“Sweens is in the best situation you can be, he’s won a game and he’s just got to enjoy it. The new manager needs the chance to establish an identity at the club and whoever’s in charge needs to fit in with the philosophy the club wants to have.

“Sweens is a great guy and if he does well and wants it then fair play to him.”