Hartlepool United interim boss Nicky Featherstone admits becoming permanent Pools manager is "something I want to do"
Hartlepool United's interim boss Nicky Featherstone admits becoming permanent Pools manager is “something I want to do".
The 37-year-old, who has spent well over a decade at Victoria Park and is the club's third highest appearance-maker of all-time, has been in temporary charge for more than six weeks since the sudden sacking of Simon Grayson on October 12.
Despite enduring a nightmarish start to life in the dugout as Pools were dumped out of the FA Cup at the fourth qualifying round stage in abject fashion by Northern Premier League Premier Division side Gainsborough Trinity, Featherstone has overseen a remarkable turnaround in results and performances of late.
Indeed, Pools have won three and drawn three of their last six National League matches, with Featherstone hailing Saturday's impressive showing during their commanding 2-0 win over out of sorts Eastleigh as the best performance of his tenure.
Certainly, things look to be heading in the right direction and Saturday's game, the first time Pools have ever won at the Silverlake Stadium, was a reminder of how much potential the current squad appears to have despite a rollercoaster start to the campaign.
Almost from the first minute, Pools produced a dominant performance, controlling the ball in a way fans likely won't have seen for a number of seasons, while the scoreline could have been wider had it not been for a combination of the woodwork as well as some fine saves from Eastleigh goalkeeper Nick Townsend.
Featherstone, then, appears to be among the front-runners to be named the next permanent manager, although there are many fans who are wondering what's taking the club so long with their latest appointment.
The fact that the veteran midfielder has not yet been given the job despite his impressive stint in caretaker charge has led some supporters to speculate that chairman and owner Raj Singh is still not convinced by Featherstone, while the Hartlepool Mail revealed on Monday that Pools have also held talks with Chris Beech, who made more than 100 appearances at Victoria Park during his playing days, as well as former Altrincham boss Phil Parkinson.
What's more, a statement published last Thursday in which the club said that the search for their next permanent manager "remains ongoing" despite applications from some "excellent candidates" did not exactly read like a vote of confidence in Featherstone, who many fans believe has done more than enough to be given the job on a permanent basis.
Although results don't seem to have suffered, it's hard to imagine the swirling uncertainty that continues to hang over Victoria Park is likely to benefit the Pools players or staff, while sections of supporters have suggested the lack of clarity over his future is unfair on Featherstone.
At the moment, though, all Featherstone can do is focus on preparing for Saturday's visit of a Truro side who have lost eight and drawn two of their 10 away games so far this season.
While it seems inevitable that Featherstone, regarded as one of the club's staunchest and most loyal servants ever, will take charge of Pools at some point during his managerial career, it remains to be seen whether or not now is the right time for him to make the step up.
"It's something I want to do, obviously," the interim boss told The Red Radio.
"Whenever I'm given the opportunity, whether it's now or moving forward, it's something I want to do.
"All I'm doing now is helping a club that I have a long affiliation with, a club that I care about massively and a club that I love.
"At the minute, it's just taking things game by game and doing the best that we can to get the results that we deserve."