Hartley was axed by Hartlepool in September following a 2-0 defeat at Sutton United to leave the club 23rd in the League Two table and without a win in the opening nine games of the season.
Despite a summer of huge turnover which involved 16 players coming through the door at the Suit Direct Stadium - as well as former Sunderland forward Chris Maguire who was unable to feature for the club due to contractual issues - Hartley’s tenure turned out to be one to forget for supporters.
And with Hartlepool manager Keith Curle now looking to reshape his squad in the January transfer window, with the club anticipating a number of ins and outs, could some of those outgoings be tempted to reunite with their former boss at Cove Rangers?
Here, at The Mail, we consider a number of players who Hartley may consider.

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Could Paul Hartley be tempted to sign any of the players he brought into Hartlepool United having returned to Cove Rangers. MI News & Sport Ltd Photo: MI News & Sport Ltd

. Kyle Letheren
Hartley brought in Letheren as an addition to the coaching staff as well as a back-up option to No.1 Ben Killip. Letheren was unused as a player for Hartley during his time but did appear to strike up a chord with the goalkeeping duo of Killip and Patrick Boyes as well as boosting the coaching ranks. Hartley has returned to Cove Rangers with assistant Gordon Young but could he be tempted to bring in Letheren again? (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News) Photo: Mark Fletcher

5. Mouhamed Niang
Niang is a player Hartley knows well from his previous time with Cove Rangers when coming up against him. Niang was the third signing under Hartley in the summer and is one of few who have made something of an impact. The midfielder has struggled with injury since Hartley’s exit and may be one he would reconsider this summer as a result. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News) Photo: Mark Fletcher

6. Jake Hastie
Seen as something of a marquee signing in the summer Hastie had plenty of hopes and expectations placed upon him heading into the season, after a decent pre-season, but has been unable to deliver so far. The former Rangers man lost his place under Hartley prior to his exit before finding his feet a little under Keith Curle but, again, now finds himself out of the side. There remains potential in the winger but time may be running out to untap that. Could a move back to Scotland with Hartley be the key to unlocking things? Hastie’s game time with Pools seems limited given Curle’s preferred system so it is something which could be an option. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News) Photo: Mark Fletcher

7. Mikael Ndjoji
Ndjoli seemed to enjoy his spell with Hartley having shown glimpses when he was fit and available to the Scot. The striker scored twice in Hartley’s only success against Harrogate Town in the Papa Johns Trophy but injury meant he was rarely involved. Since then, Ndjoli has fallen out of favour under Keith Curle with the striker’s future at the Suit Direct Stadium seemingly in doubt. (Credit: Tom West | MI News) Photo: Tom West

8. Chris Maguire
Although Maguire is no longer involved with Hartlepool - having initially continued to train with the club while resolutions regarding his contract situation were sought - he is a player Hartley may look to revisit once the former Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday man has dealt with his pending FA investigation. Picture by FRANK REID Photo: FRANK REID