Hartlepool boss launches surprise attack at Notts County and Bromley

Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor launches a surprise attack at Notts County and Bromley as he gave his verdict on the recent sackings.

The Magpies and The Ravens were both slammed by the Pools manager after getting rid of Neal Ardley and Neil Smith, with Dave throwing support in the direction of those who have just lost their jobs.

Dave Challinor says Notts County and Bromley have made “ridiculous” decisions to sack their managers and said both Ardley and Smith should have been judged at the end of the season.

Notts County went with the decision to relieve Ardley of his duties last week with the club sitting sixth in the National League table and in a play-off place.

Bromley also decided to make a shock change as they sacked Neil Smith despite them closing in on the top seven in the battle win promotion to the EFL.

It follows Stockport County’s decision to axe Jim Gannon while they were also in the top seven and replaced him with Simon Rusk – with mystery still over their decision.

Challinor told the Hartlepool Mail: “They are ridiculous decisions from the outside looking in.

“Manager’s decisions should be judged on a full season. Jim left Stockport and whether clubs are looking to go in a different direction internally, you can’t really comment on that.

“From the outside, the two Neil’s leaving last week from clubs in the play-off positions seems strange.

“But you’re not privy to what is going on behind the scenes, the targets set, the investment that has been made and where they want the club to go.

“There are a lot of anomalies that you can’t comment on but from Notts County’s position, they’ve got games in hand on us after taking the Dover game away.

“We’re 11 points ahead of Notts County but they have six games in hand. While they may not win all of those games, if they do then they’re seven points clear of us which would be a very good position to be in.”

Challinor was on the end of a surprise sacking himself at AFC Fylde just months after leading the club to a play-off and FA Trophy final, so you could see why he isn’t happy with managers who are doing ok when it comes to league position getting sacked.

“It is strange but nothing surprises you in football and I’ve been on the end of it myself,” he said.

“It is what it is and what I will say is that if Neil, Neal and Jim decide to go somewhere else then they’ll have further success down the line because they’re all very good managers.”

Since his comments, 10-man Notts County picked up a 1-0 win at home to Wrexham, putting the Magpies 4th in the table with 49 points from 28 games played.

That gave new manager Ian Burchnall his first win in charge following a shock cup defeat to Hornchurch and also lost 1-0 at home to Aldershot Town in midweek.

Fans reacted as the Hartlepool United boss launches surprise attack at Notts County and Bromley…

Fredfarmer: Ardley is not a good manager if he was he would be in a job instead he’s seeking work elsewhere when he came to Notts he new the score our revolving door for sacking managers is well known

David Brock: We’ve got a couple of prize donkeys in the technical area. I predict some Scarborough beach vacancies for these pair during the summer. I’m just glad the game is on BT so I don’t have to watch it.

Qldmagpie: No, every player is a dead man walking, as they are the one’s on the field not performing. It’s time to realize that the players are under performing, and even if Jimmy Sirrel was here, if the players are not interested then it’s the managers head on the block. The manager’s job is to work out which player’s are just here for the pay cheque, and those who actually want to play football.

Magpie 10: I have to agree with Challinor we should have given NA until end of the season. Given how last 2 games have gone fans have already made Burchnall dead man walking

@ForeverAYellow: Got to agree with Dave Challinor here tbh, I thought both sacking were rather odd especially that at Bromley, a lot more eyes will be watching them now, will be rather interesting to see how they get on