Pools Granted Permission For Talks With Cox

Having confirmed the retained list and given an update on the managerial search nothing had happened at Hartlepool, until now.

According to Sky Sports, Hartlepool have been granted permission to speak to Barrow boss Paul Cox, who has previously guided Mansfield back into the Football League.

Sky sources understand Barrow, who missed out on the play-offs last season, will allow Cox to hold talks with Hartlepool about the vacancy. He is now being seen as the favourite to replace Dave Jones, sacked with two games remaining.

Hartlepool defender Matthew Bates formed part of the caretaker team aiming to keep Pools in the Football League but this didn’t happen with relegation to the National League of course confirmed on the final day, despite the win over promoted Doncaster.

aWe’ll find out soon enough if Cox is indeed the man to revive fortunes at Victoria Park.