A Closer Look At Potential Managerial Candidates

With most reports suggesting it might be some time before a new manager is installed at Hartlepool United, here at Vital Hartlepool we take a closer look at some of the potential candidates.

Mick Wadsworth – 5/4 (fav)

Managerial Positions: Matlock Town, Carlisle United, Scarborough, Colchester United, Oldham Athletic, Huddersfield Town, DR Congo, Beira-Mar, Chester City.

Career Highlights: Division 3 Champions with Carlisle. Auto Windscreen Trohpy Finalist with Carlisle. Division 3 Play-off Semi Finalists with Scarborough.

The current bookies favourite, Mick Wadsworth has had a long career in football with many ups and down. For the most part, the majority of his success has come in the form of coaching and assistant manager roles, with his stint as assistant manager to the late Bobby Robson at Newcastle being a particular highlight. Wadsworth joined Hartlepool in the summer as the clubs new first team coach. Since the departure of Chris Turner, Wadsworth has been installed as caretaker boss, until a permanent successor is found.

Paul Ince – 6/1

Managerial Positions: Macclesfield Town, MK Dons, Blackburn Rovers, MK Dons.

Career Highlights: Saved Macclesfield from Relegation, from League 2. League 2 Champions with MK Dons. Football League Trophy Winners with MK Dons.

Paul Ince has recently been installed as the bookies second favourite, after a string of rumours suggesting that Ince was in attendance for Hartlepool’s League Cup game against Wigan on Tuesday night. The proposition of Ince being the next Hartlepool United manager has divided fans down the middle. Some think it would be a step in the right direction for the club, where others have concerns over Ince’s lack of ability, loyalty and ego, all traits that chairman Ken Hodcroft looks to avoid when bringing any personnel to the club.

Neale Cooper – 10/1

Managerial Positions: Ross County, Hartlepool United, Gillingham Town, Peterhead.

Career Highlights: Two Promotions with Ross County. Back to back Play-off campaigns with Hartlepool United.

A firm ‘fans favourite` after his first stint at Hartlepool, which saw the club reach it`s highest ever league position and took the club to the League One play-offs on two occasions. However the reasons behind Cooper`s exist from the club are still not fully clear and it would be unlikely that Mr Hodcroft and Mr Cooper have resolved these differences since Coopers departure, which makes him an unlikely candidate. The biggest concern from fans would be if he could repeat his success or would he eventually become the ‘villain`, in a similar fashion to the recently departed Chris Turner.

Dean Windass – 16/1

Managerial Positions: Bradford City (joint caretaker)

Career Highlights: No Managerial Accomplishments to date

With no real managerial experience under his belt it is difficult to know how Dean Windass would cope with the duties expected of him as a clubs manager. It is fair to say that he would need an experienced coach beside him, in times of trouble. However Windass has made his interest in the Hartlepool job public knowledge, and it was even mentioned on the Football League Show. No doubt will have handed in his CV in regards to the managerial position.

Phil Brown – 33/1

Managerial Positions: Bolton Wanderers (caretaker), Derby County, Hull City

Career Highlights: Saved Hull City from Relegation, from the Championship. Won promotion to the Premier League with Hull City.

Phil Brown appears to be leading the race from the fans point of view, with the majority of Pools fans wanting the former Hull boss to take the reigns at Victoria Park. Brown was born and raised in the North East and spent 7 years at Hartlepool as a player from 78-85, making over 200 appearances. Brown has already stated through several media outlets his desire to get back into football and that he would happily drop down the footballing ladder, if the right job comes along.

Micky Barron – NA

Managerial Positions: NA

Career Highlights: No Managerial Accomplishments to date.

Surprisingly, Barron has not even been listed amongst the bookies as a possible successor to the recently departed Chris Turner. Micky Barron has been at Hartlepool United for over 13 years and if he was to bleed, I have no doubt, he would bleed blue and white. Barron has always been a firm favourite with the fans since his arrival in 1997. Since his retirement in 2008, Barron joined the coaching as he took the reigns of the youth team, he recently saw his duties increase within the club as it was announced that Barron along with Wadsworth and Ritchie Humphreys would be in joint charge of the Hartlepool United reserve team. The big question is, does Barron think he is ready to take the step into management? If he does you can guarantee that his CV was the first on Ken Hodcroft’s table.

Other names that have been mentioned, either in the media or by the bookies are:

Peter Beardsley – 8/1

Peter Jackson – 10/1

Dave Penney – 14/1

Jim Magilton – 14/1

Martin Allen – 16/1

Ritchie Humphreys – 20/1

Stuart McCall – 20/1

Alan Shearer – 20/1

Steve Tilson – 22/1

Kevin Keegan – 66/1

Jeff Stelling – 100/1