Hartlepool sack Darren Sarll after comments on what it’s like to be manager in difficult times following the 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Brackley.
The 41 year old departs after just six months in charge, with the club crashing out of the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round, and sit 16th in the National League table with 16 points from 13 games and 4 points above the relegation zone.
For the time being, Lennie Lawrence will take the reigns as interim supported by the existing football staff with Hartlepool’s next game away at 19th place Maidenhead this weekend.
Hartlepool United’s Board can confirm that they have today parted company with Manager Darren Sarll.
Lennie Lawrence will take over manager duties in the interim supported by the existing football staff.
— Hartlepool United FC (@Official_HUFC) October 16, 2024
A brief statement on the sacking read: “Hartlepool United’s Board can confirm that they have today parted company with Manager Darren Sarll.
“Lennie Lawrence will take over manager duties in the interim supported by the existing football staff.
“A further update will follow in due course.”
Interviewer: How do you summarise your emotion after tonight?
Darren: No there’s a lot of disappointment in that changing room of course, a lot of embarrassment, I don’t want to disrespect Brackley for their achievements cuz that is a huge one for them.
“But in terms of the game never more so have I seen a game where the penalty boxes have been so influential, I think the middle third we pretty much had the whole game but in both penalty areas we were awful and the one saving grace for us thus far has always been the defensive box and it was our worst night in terms of dealing with those defending set plays.
“I don’t think we’ve continued a defending set play from a defending set play all year so we’ve done three in one night so we’ve we’ve done well to do that and when you don’t deal with the aerial ball against a team of that physicality then unfortunately you’re going to come unstuck.
“Added to that the amount of chances we had and you’re only ever going to lose games there’s just no winning formula.”
Interviewer: And just in the attacking box um it’s an issue we’ve brought up quite a few times this season why is there you feel so we can’t convert them chances.”
Darren: “Absolutely, that’s the last bit of the pattern right and that’s what normally why the centre forward gets the big bucks on top of the right and left backs.
“So I think that last touch I don’t think Manny had many really convincing opportunities in open play, we got in twice with Dodds one-on-one with a goalie, Charman missed a tap in first half, we missed a really strong one-on-one with Charman second half, we missed header from four yards with Billy second half, we had more than enough chances to win that game and then only have to deal averagely in order to ensure that you win it but again when you miss chances and you create open in with poor defending weak defending by the way really weak, there’s only other one outcome it doesn’t matter who the opponent is it doesn’t matter what league they play in there’s only other one outcome.”
Interviewer: “How much credit do you give to the opposition tonight set up similar to to Saturday and in a tactical you know output there, do you feels that they deserves to go…”
Darren: “No not in that sense, I think they they’ve obviously maximised their attacking set plays, the long throw was a big one all night we struggled with it, but in terms of the, if you have said to me after 35 minutes we were going to lose that game 3-1 I would have thought lunacy would have been in that individual so I thought we were very comfortable in possession.
“The first goal is poor timing for us really bad time in having just scored and we controlled the game for large Parts but if when you get in you’re not then going to convert then there really little to no point in controlling as much of the ball.”
Interviewer: “Losing to a team in the league blue is there a concern of sort of mentality you know change a fear going forward from now.”
Darren: “I think I thought the mentality and attitude to deal with the high ball was really really poor I can’t tell you about what’s going to happen from now cuz I can’t look into the future but I thought our attitude tonight to defending that direct play was was very very poor and just you know being knocked out of the competition in in general.
Interviewer: “And all the perks that come with it you know the chance for a run the chance to build prise money how frustrated are you of that.”
Darren: “No it’s a brilliant competition I’ve spoken about it a lot I’ve been you know I’ve had some really great runs but if you’re out there there’s no benefit to that anymore so it’s disappointing that you can’t create you know special memories for people but look whatever game you’re playing if you’re going to defend like that from direct play and you’re going to not take chances simple chances you lose games.”
Interviewer: “And just one final one do you have a message to supporters a long journey on a Tuesday night.”
Darren: “Of course after the game on Saturday and your your message them yeah of course obviously we you know we we’ve always grateful and respectful to them for their travel and their commitment to um um financing these these these evenings and we’re very disappointed in ourselves and for them that we haven’t been able to deliver a win as we always are whether it’s the FA Cup the league even a pre-season friendly we always disappointed when we let our supporters down.”
Darren Sarll speaks about what it’s like to be a manager in difficult times 🗣️ https://t.co/hLWInRqRJp#Pools | #HUFC | #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/ujLlhtkol6
— BBC Sport Tees (@BBCTeesSport) October 15, 2024
Here’s how fans reacted as Hartlepool sack Darren Sarll after comments on what it’s like to be manager in difficult times following FA Cup defeat to Brackley…
@banhambtfc: It’s ok guys we did it for you from all at @BrackleyTownFC
@ltreidy67: Can we also part company with the board who appointed him in the first place?
@LumN91: A month to late but at least it’s a step in the right direction
@HamishMcgonagal: 6 weeks too late, sack the board
@dredge5316: Why waste a fa cup run where we could use the money ??
@PoolieKev: The squad we have should not be where we are. Got to make sure we get it right this time not taking a chance on someone
@MartinCorner4: Raj and the Board next please
@ColeMinza7: Pete Wild or Paul Simpson please
@leeconnor9: Didn’t even thank him for his efforts 🤦🏻♂️
@ivjohnston37: Pete Wild please!
@HamishMcgonagal: Now sack themselves
@Hornseydonna3: At last
@richyhpool: Terrible appointment BUT can any manager succeed under this regime!
@EvinTM_: Took you long enough
@timdredge1: A once proud club has become a joke under this chairman.
@richyhpool: Terrible appointment BUT can any manager succeed under this regime!
@1908pools: 4 weeks to late
@mickyc1993: Got asked why I wasn’t buying a season ticket in June… “we will start off alright, cracks will start to appear, results will start to drop off, abit of embarrassment along the way and he will be gone by December” Raj Singh’s predictable United
@Smudger_14: About 6 weeks to late
@jackmc20: Thank the lord now time to kick on and save our season FA trophy needs too be won !
@adam_garrington: Should have been done a month ago!
— Ben (@Bengreen06) October 16, 2024
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