Next Hartlepool United manager: All eyes on Bromby & Partners' next choice after failed Lee Clark appointment
Hartlepool Mail sports editor Rich Mennear reflects on Lee Clark’s short tenure.
It wasn't supposed to be this way.
Long-suffering supporters had hoped the revolving managers' door at Hartlepool United was to be a thing of the past under new owner Landon Smith. It has long been a standing joke among the HUFC faithful that there would inevitably be a managerial change before October is out during Raj Singh's reign.
Halloween came even earlier this time round. Lee Clark falling on his own sword just nine games into the new National League season, the new season barely six weeks old.
Don't forget Pools had one of the largest budgets they've had to spend in the National League this summer, expectations of a push at promotion were high - both inside and outside the club. Rightly so.
Yet a run of nine games containing just three wins and SIX losses - with just seven goals scored - saw Clark end his own spell as head coach. His immediate resignation after the desperate 3-1 home defeat to Worthing came as a surprise to club bosses, especially when he announced it to the press.
Given the desperate run of form - six defeats from the last seven - the club would likely have had to have made their own call sooner rather than later. Clark saved them the call. In the summer, Smith, who has written several open letters to fans since taking charge, handed control of the football operations at the club to Bromby and Partners - with Chris Maxwell, head of football operations leading the way.
Whichever barometer you use, the appointment of Clark has failed. In terms of results, style of play, tactical approach, indiscipline with too many red cards hampering performances and key players not producing consistently - namely Will Harris and Jack Nolan.
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All eyes now are on who will replace Clark and save Pools' season. There is plenty of football to be played and no reason why this squad cannot make the play-offs, despite the current six-point gap.
When Clark was appointed he said “I want ridiculously fit footballers who can play with high intensity. I want a team that presses, plays on the front foot and shows desire, togetherness and passion every single week."
Fans haven't seen that anywhere near enough. Pressure is on Smith given he is the owner to make the correct appointment but crucially Bromby & Partners too. If promotion is genuinely the aim, then Pools cannot afford another failed appointment.
The current situation doesn't reflect well on Clark first and foremost but also the owner and certainly Bromby & Partners. They cannot afford to get the next appointment wrong.
Your next Hartlepool United read: Hartlepool United confirm interim management team as Lee Clark successor search gets underway