There has been a sudden twist to claims Bromley boss Andy Woodman agreed with a switch to Hartlepool United late on Thursday night.
Hartlepool United were set to appoint the ex-Oxford, Brentford, Northampton, Colchester keeper as their new manager.
As reported by the Hartlepool Mail earlier on Thursday, Woodman, who has been with Bromley, was understood to be in pole position.
That all depended on if Hartlepool could agree a compensation fee with the National League club first, and that was seemingly struck.
BetVictor suspended betting for the ‘next Hartlepool manager’ on Wednesday afternoon while Sky Bet slashed their odds on Woodman being appointed from 2/1 to 1/20.
FLW reported: “Football League World now understands that an agreement has been reached over that, and Woodman is now all set to take over at Victoria Park.”
Interim manager Antony Sweeney held his press conference on Thursday morning and the club legend is keeping his distance from the club’s managerial search as his focus remains on the pitch.
The first comment made by Pools came at nearly 6pm on Thursday, insisting they are remaining patient when it comes to a new managerial appointment, despite reports that they had agreed terms with Bromley manager Andy Woodman to take charge.
Still, Hartlepool chief operations officer Stephen Hobin was keen to keep all the speculation under wraps as he told The Mail: “It’s not for me to comment on that, it’s down to the chairman really.
“The chairman will make that decision when he’s ready but we’ve had lots and lots of interest and there are lots of names you will have heard of.
“There are only 92 jobs in the Football League and Premier League and one of those is ours which always attracts a lot of interest. The process is going as smoothly as it can.
“The chairman is the person who will make those decisions and he’s got people around him that provide support with that. We’ve got Adrian Bevington in who is very experienced, Lee Rust on the board and myself very hands on in the day to day running of the club.
“The process is like it is at any other football club really. You have speculative enquiries from agents, managers out of work or ones looking to step up. The process has been as professional and seamless as you’d expect at this level of football. The chairman will make those decisions in due course with our support.”
No smoke without fire? We didn’t think Challinor would leave Hartlepool then sudden twist saw him leave for Stockport. It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. So in brief we’ve had compensation supposedly agreed, the manager agreeing to joining Hartlepool, Bromley saying there has been no approach, Hartlepool being coy in not saying whether an approach has been made or not, instead asks more in terms of patience, then finally said no approach was mad eon their behalf.
BREAKING🔵
Hartlepool United has exclusively told BBC Radio Tees Sport they have NOT made an approach to Bromley regarding Andy Woodman.
The club also confirm that no approach was made to Woodman individually, and the club have NO intention of making him the next #Pools boss. pic.twitter.com/5UI3Ey2lps
— BBC Sport Tees (@BBCTeesSport) November 11, 2021
Antony Sweeney is expected to remain in caretaker charge for Friday night’s match against Newport County (7:45pm kick-off) and the FA Cup first round replay at Wycombe on Tuesday evening (7:45pm kick-off).
As for Sweeney, he’s ignoring the noise and getting on with the task at hand.
“I’m sure the club are working really hard behind the scenes but it’s business as usual for me as interim manager,” he admitted.
“There are no changes for me, I’m just working with the players and trying to get results for the team.”
MORE ON ANDY WOODMAN
Former Newcastle United goalkeeper coach Andy Woodman was a top six favourite with the bookies when the job became available.
Woodman has previously been linked with EFL jobs at the likes of Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth this season after working miracles with National League side Bromley.
After losing to Pools in last season’s National League play-offs, Woodman has battled on with next to no budget and blooding youngsters for the Ravens.
Bromley earned a 2-0 win at Woking on Tuesday night, with the Ravens sitting 4th with 27 points from 13 games.
Woodman worked at Arsenal’s Academy before taking on the job at Bromley and his performance as boss has caught the eye of EFL chairmen.
Speaking about his work at Bromley recently Woodman said: “I keep saying I don’t want to just make up the numbers.
“I never wanted to do that as a player or a coach, and now not as a manager.”
Woodman was part of Newcastle’s back-room team when the club finished fifth and qualified for Europe nine years ago.
As a player, his highest achievement was playing for Northampton Town when they won the Division Three play-offs in 1997. He’s also played for Crystal Palace, Exeter, Brentford, Peterborough, Southend, Colchester, Oxford, Stevenage and numerous non league sides.
WOODMAN’S CAREER:
1989–1994 – Crystal Palace
1994–1995 – Exeter City – 6 games
1995–1999 – Northampton Town – 160 games
1999 → Brentford (loan)
1999–2001 – Brentford – 60 games
2000 → Peterborough United (loan)
2000 → Southend United (loan) – 17 games
2000 → Colchester United (loan) – 6 games
2001–2002 – Colchester United – 48 games
2002 → Oxford United (loan) – 12 games
2002–2004 – Oxford United – 89 games
2004–2005 – Stevenage Borough – 21 games
2005 – Redbridge – 1 game
2005 – Thurrock – 14 games
2005–2006 – Rushden & Diamonds – 3 games
Total – 438 games
Teams managed
2017 – Whitehawk
2021 – Bromley
Fans reacted as Hartlepool were set to appoint the ex-Oxford, Brentford, Northampton, Colchester keeper as manager…
Another twist in the tale.
Bromley quashing reports linking #Pools with Andy Woodman.
Will be interesting to see what comes from this… https://t.co/RI2evEg8tr
— Dominic Scurr (@DomScurr) November 11, 2021
@DN35GTFC: Too scared to come to BP obviously.
@StottyHUFC: Andy Woodman’s blue and white army
@durhamchris1983: I’m actually very excited about this appointment. Challinor was my 1st choice last time & that turned out well. Genuinely believe Woodman can do a good job. It’s a good choice. @Official_HUFC
@AllanDoxford: Announce it now @Official_HUFC
@RMcCarthy98: Get woodyyyyyy on it
@thecaptain1912: My favourite guest on @UndrTheCosh absolutely hilarious.
@BoardmastersK: I’m happy his career has got off to a flyer but don’t signal to the fans that ur stayin ffs🤣
@_tombaxter17: Let him beat Challinor on Saturday and get him on the first train up
@MikeyMcMahon: Hartlepool go from one shithouse to another in a few days #gtfc
@bazzahpool: While I’m happy if we have him I just hope it was done in a better manner than what the Stockport deal went like, its awful loosing a good manager and feel for the #Bromley fans as we know exactly what it’s like #hufc #pools
@DaftLad94: Basically what challinor did to us.
@carl25744841: He’s off next week then 👍
@ForeverAYellow: Rather disapponting that he left Bromley to be honest, doing great things with them and would love to see him take them up. However he has been in demand for a good while now, wishing him all the best
You must be logged in to post a comment Login