Hartlepool United sack manager five months after appointment

Hartlepool United sack manager Graeme Lee just five months after his appointment and the decision has been quite the divided one.

The 43-year-old began his career with Pools, making 225 league appearances before signing for Sheffield Wednesday.

He returned as the club’s manager after the previous boss Dave Challinor left for Stockport County in November.

Despite surviving in League Two this term, Pools have won just once in their past 11 games and earned just seven points during that period.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Hartlepool United F.C. can confirm it has today parted company with Manager Graeme Lee.

This follows a significant downturn in results and performances over recent months, despite investment in new players during the January transfer window.

Since losing to Rotherham United on 9th March, the team has won only one of 11 games, picking up just seven points and scoring eight goals.

Additionally, previously strong home form has not been maintained with no home win since 15th February, resulting in just three points and only three goals in seven games during this period.

Chairman Raj Singh said: “While we had some great results and occasions in cup competitions, unfortunately, our league performances have not been good enough with only seven wins since Graeme joined the club and as a Board we have become increasingly concerned by the drop-off in form.”

“This has not been an easy decision to make. Graeme is a really good person and he has given everything to the job. I would like to place on record my thanks to Graeme for his efforts and I wish him and his family well for the future.”

“After achieving promotion back to the Football League last year, we remain ambitious as a Club to continue our progress with promotion to League One being our target.”

“We have a brilliant fan base and the crowds at the Suit Direct Stadium this season have been outstanding with an average of 5,200.”

“We have put a lot of work into operating the club with a robust financial and commercial model to protect it long-term. This is now allowing us to bring back the academy and we will be making a number of other significant investments into infrastructure and people this summer.”

“Further, after investing money into the team in January, we will continue to add more quality this summer window and beyond.”

“The Club has made real progress over recent years and I felt it important to make this decision now, so we can get our new manager in place as early as possible to prepare for the new season.”

Michael Nelson and Anthony Sweeney will take the team for the final game of the season against Colchester on Saturday.

Twitter users reacted as Hartlepool United sack their manager five months after the appointment…

@JackWeegram: Can’t blame Lee for the players downing tools after the Rotherham game can you? Surely Nelson goes too we never won under him

@owennn15: Exactly he went about 9 unbeaten until we secured league 2 next season, not his fault the players didnt want to turn up after that

@douggyhufc: No chance of player renewing contracts now

@richyhpool: About to say maybe players weren’t signing up as they didn’t like the management

@Leetheyakker: Well done Raj , Nelson next out the door. We said we needed experience not a cheap option least you tried and realised it was a mistake appointing them two in the first place. Performances been terrible then we hear good game we where unlucky no thanks 👍

@CallumFWoodley: Needed experience yet he got us to safety in our first year back in the EFL, Quarters of the FA Cup, semis of the papa johns? Aye let’s hire Roy Hodgson with all his amazing experience and see how that ends up 😂

@TheSpiderzWeb: Get in raj u beauty. Couldn’t agree more with this decision. Announce a real manager!!!!!!!

@StevJT: You all know him far better than me (as a Palace fans). But I thought he spoke so well, and did you all proud. Shame to see he’s been let go. Good luck for the summer and next season.

@ciw1973: Whilst Graeme, his family, and HUFC have only been on my radar since the Cup game against us (Palace) he clearly had a great relationship with the fans. Went to the Scunthorpe game last weekend, and he was chatting to the fans and having photos for a long while after the game.

@tasharelli: Regardless of whether I agree with this or not, the timing is appalling. The guy has kept us up and at least deserved the chance to be in charge for the last home game.

@durhamchris1983: results business and the record speaks for itself. Need to peddle Nelson also not good enough

@Tony09817073: Graeme should have been allowed to see the season out. Plenty of time to bring new Manager in before start of new season . Chairman has stated who will be in charge for the last game so no new Manager lined up and doubt Nelson looking forward to taking team knowing future.

@graemec10: Chairman is the issue and always will be.

@Jack_Austwicke: that’s shocking that, players are knackered after two mint cup runs and a 46 game season with small investment

@lukeyoung2408_: Can’t argue for me, really disappointing and confusing management letting so many players go and leaving us short, needed to finish strongly

@stucath70: If you look at the results recently then it is a no-brainer. I’m glad Raj has acted so quickly so we can hopefully get someone in asap and start building for next season. I have never seen such a disjointed team as I have in recent weeks.

@RossMcbeath92: Cheap option didn’t work again. Fling a decent manager from the national league a decent wage and get the club going again.

@Mogzy1985: What the fuck.

@RossMcbeath92: Send Nelson on his way and all. Tactically all over the shop and was tragic for Blyth. Wish he just offered to Dave whatever he wanted and we would be in a much better position

@ScottN1504: Absolutely nuts this

@MbwLdurham: Thank you RAJ, you have put my faith back in you, and showed how much you care for the club, I am not excited again about our future and looking forward to the summer, instead of doom, I am buzzing for Saturday now.

@GasManTim: Sorry it hasnt worked out. Pleased hes gone now though before he was hounded out and hes excellent reputation as a player wasnt diminished.

@stelock89: Lee is a nice bloke but ultimately 2 wins in 15 isn’t a bad run of form it’s relegation form and football is a results business.

@BarryStevens75: No time to be sentimental, as harsh as it’s been it’s a result driven role, which has been nothing but a disaster since the Rotherham game

@trimdonsmoggie: Ridiculous decision and you complained about the way chandler conducted himself. Established in the league 1 win from Wembley best fa cup run in years shocking decision

@xandercummings3: Horrendous. Investment might actually be the problem but let’s use him as a scapegoat

@Joe_Evans9: Good fucking bye

@miller_jonny: This is stupid. He’s barely had a chance. He inherited a squad which the chairman said was poor essentially due to the reduced summer transfer window. It’s been frustrating lately but unless the manager is being backed to keep the players instead of them looking elsewhere.9