Hartlepool United’s most famous fan Jeff Stelling is furious at the club’s decision to replace Premier League legend Kevin Phillips as manager.
The former Sunderland striker has only been in the job for three months, but in that time has managed to pull Pools out of the mud and guide the club away from relegation from the National League.
3
Phillips was hired when a run of one win in seven games plunged Hartlepool into danger, but he staged a comeback with a five-game unbeaten run after his appointment with four wins and a draw.
Not everything went his way for the Stadium of Light goal machine, with Phillips describing the 7-1 defeat to local rivals Gateshead in March as one of the worst days of his life.
But the team recovered with surprise wins over Halifax and Aldershot, meaning they beat the drop, rising from 16th place when he was brought in on a short-term contract to 12th place after seven wins in 16 games at the helm.
Despite his success in the dugout, Hartlepool announced on Friday evening that Phillips had left his position at the end of his contract.
Read more from Jeff Stelling
Supporters were left shocked, confused, with the club later announcing former Stevenage, Yeovil and Woking boss Darren Sarll as his replacement on Saturday morning.
And none more so than Stelling, who said the incredible news left him “depressed” and his “summer was ruined.”
Reacting to Friday’s news, the talkSPORT Breakfast host wrote on X: “I think we need to hear what happened – KP may have received a blinding offer from another club.
“I know none of us think that’s the case, but I guess we’ll have to wait to find out.” Depressed though!
3
3
“KP has been a breath of fresh air for our football club. I’m empty. Summer is ruined.
On Saturday morning, the club confirmed they had decided to appoint Sarll, rather than stick with Phillips, due to his National League experience.
Stelling replied: “So now we know. It’s not at all KP’s decision to leave. I’m at a loss for words.
He also posted: “I feel like the guy from ‘Love Actually’ who walks away from Keira Knightley saying ‘enough, enough now’.”
Hartlepool chairman Raj Singh explained the decision in a statement: “Kevin has done a good job this season since taking over as head coach and has been a pleasure to work with. His mission upon appointment was to first ensure the club retained its current Championship status and then begin pursuing play-off positions.
“We experienced a difficult context and a precarious position in the league when the former manager left. We felt Kevin was the right appointment to navigate things and ultimately he comfortably helped ensure the club stayed clear of any relegation concerns, which at one point persisted.
When making the call to hire Sarll, club director Andy Steel highlighted the 41-year-old’s experience at National League level, having overseen more than 300 games as a coach.
Steel added: “He [Sarll] presented a very clear and compelling vision of how he wants to build the team, deliver a positive style of football that statistically supports success in this league, and create a winning mentality and culture.
