Hartlepool United manager Craig Hignett during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Wrexham at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Monday 26th August 2019. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News & Sport Ltd)Hartlepool United manager Craig Hignett during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Wrexham at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Monday 26th August 2019. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News & Sport Ltd)
Hartlepool United manager Craig Hignett during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Wrexham at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Monday 26th August 2019. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News & Sport Ltd)

Where did it go wrong for Craig Hignett at Hartlepool United? The factors that led up to the former Middlesbrough forward's surprise sacking as manager

Craig Hignett was relieved of his duties as Hartlepool United manager following an indifferent start to the 2019-20 National League season.

Pools sat 16th in the table after 16 matches but with just five wins all season and one in their last seven, the club opted to part ways with the former Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers player.

The sacking came as something as a surprise as United were still only four points off a play-off place and had ample time to turn things around.

But with money tight, the risk of another season of mediocrity was looming as Hartlepool decided to take preventive action. Things never went horribly wrong for Hignett though there were several niggling factors that may have contributed to his dismissal – scroll down and click through the pages to see...