Nicky Featherstone opens up on possible Hartlepool United stay after Landon Smith request

Outgoing Hartlepool United manager Nicky Featherstone has confirmed he held talks with owner and chairman Landon Smith in the aftermath of the midweek win against Southend United - but remains uncertain whether he can meet the American’s request to remain involved at the Prestige Group Stadium.

Speculation over Featherstone’s future with Pools has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks after his side fell short in their bid to secure a National League play-off spot. Talk over a possible departure increased following a heavy defeat at Wealdstone that all but ended any thoughts of a top seven push and left the Pools hierarchy to focus on what comes next.

Smith enlisted the services of Bromby and Partners to oversee a review of all footballing matters at the club - and Featherstone has revealed it is the recruitment and advisory firm that made a firm decision over his future and opted to end his time as manager following Saturday’s final game of the season at Boston United.

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Speaking to BBC Radio Tees Sport, the Pools boss said: “It was just a discussion, a few answers I needed personally. I know he will get the final say on a number of things, he’s also unaware of how football works and that’s why he’s brought in some company to help with that and they’ve made the decision to go down a different route. That’s all it is. He’s made it clear he wants me around the place. In what capacity, I don’t know. But that has to work for both me and the football club.”

Decision

Speaking in the statement confirming Featherstone’s departure, Smith praised the Pools stalwart for the ‘professionalism, honesty and a deep sense of responsibility’ he had shown during his time as a player, coach, captain and manager of the club. There was also confirmation the American was hoping to persuade Featherstone to remain in situ at the Prestige Group Stadium in an as yet undefined and undecided role.

However, with a new manager now on the agenda ahead of next season, the former Pools midfielder is unsure whether his presence within the club would be wanted and stressed any decision taken would have to work for all parties involved.

“That’s a conversation we will have over the next couple of weeks probably. I don’t know, it’s got to work for me, it’s got to work for the football club. It’s not about me wanting right now. Like I said in an interview after the Forest Green game I think it was, if a new manager comes in, naturally he’s not going to trust me. Although he can trust me, he’s not going to trust me. That’s just natural, that’s not an issue on my part. He would be aware of me, they know I wanted the job moving forward but that might not work and probably wouldn’t work in that sense. The role has to work for me as well but we need to come together as a football club to see what that would be and then we will make a decision from there.”

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