Update given on Hartlepool boss becoming favourite for Tranmere job

An update has been given on the Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor becoming the new bookies favourite for the Tranmere Rovers job.

With the North East outfit set to go into one of their most important fixtures in years, their manager has emerged at the top of the betting market for the vacancy to take over at his former club.

Tranmere are currently getting ready to compete in a League Two playoff match against Morecambe this Thursday with Ian Dawes being put in temporary charge following the sacking of Keith Hill earlier this month.

Over the weekend, fans and journalists have been watching Challinor’s odds to become the next Rovers boss get slashed from a 16/1 outsider to 4/1 favourite with BetVictor.

This sudden change has of course set panic in the non league side’s fanbase, with Challinor held in high regard for taking the club from mid-table in the National League to a potentially their first promotion in 14 years.

Challinor has previous at Tranmere, making 140 league appearances for the Super White Army between 1994 and 2002.

Most fans use the bookies odds as an indicator for who might be their next manager, however others say that they aren’t as reliable as some think, with Hartlepool Mail stating that Challinor being the favourite should be taken with a pinch of salt at this stage. The change can be the result of a number of bets based on nothing.

Sources close to the Pools boss suggest that any links between Challinor and the Tranmere position are just ‘speculation’ at the moment.

Challinor remains under contract at Pools until the end of the 2021-22 season meaning that the club would be entitled to compensation should another club come in for him during that period.

Hartlepool Mail add that despite the speculation, it’s still one to keep an eye on while the permanent managerial position remains vacant at Prenton Park.

John McGreal is another that has been named as a contender for the Tranmere job – sitting second favourite with BetVictor.

Meanwhile, Challinor has given his verdict on the playoff final venue being not at Wembley Stadium, but instead Ashton Gate due to the Euros.

“It’s not ideal is it.” Challinor told BBC Radio Tees Sport.

“For any player at this level, to play at Wembley is a huge one and we know how important that game is and what rides on it for all the clubs.

“We’ve got no idea if they (National League) have spoken to every Premier League club and said ‘no we won’t host a game’ and that’s the only option for them.

“If you’re being critical, you look at the make up of the play-off places and you can say potentially five out of the six teams are going to be northern based clubs and it becomes a difficult one for supporters.

“Ashton Gate holds 27,000, if the crowd in there is going to be 10,000 and there’s potentially 4,000 tickets for each team, they’ll be snapped up in a heartbeat. People won’t be disappointed if they travel there and their team ends up being in the Football League.”

Challinor adds that recent defeats can act as a springboard for the playoffs, with Pools confirming their top seven spot with a 3-1 victory against Aldershot at the weekend.

A top three finish would ensure one less game in the playoffs with remaining games against league leaders Sutton United and Weymouth to come.

Defeats to Bromley and Maidenhead United before the weekend ended an unbeaten run of 16 games in the league as Pools missed out on the chance to win the title.

“Would you love to go into the play-offs having not lost in 23 games?

“I’m not sure it would be a great mindset to go into because we’d be thinking ‘at some point we’re going to lose aren’t we?’

“For me, it’s about what’s happened in the last two games. We’ve lost the opportunity to finish top and lost the opportunity to finish second and that’s obviously disappointing.

“Our fate is set in terms of finishing third or fourth.

“These next two games are about preparing us for games further down the line.

Hartlepool take on Sutton United at Gander Green Lane on Sunday 23rd May for a 12:45pm kick off.

Fans reacted as an update is given on the Hartlepool boss becoming favourite for the Tranmere job…

@MichaelBarrass1: Makes sense for challinor as uncle Raj will be wanting his £3milion loan back soon from administrators

@RichardBrady2: All this talk of Dave Challinor as our next gaffer, had he not played for us he wouldn’t even be on the fans radar. Don’t much about his style of play etc but him being linked doesn’t excite me if I’m honest.

@MissDLowe: I was holding out for David Flitcroft when we sacked Jacko, but after our dalliance with he who shall not be named I think it’s best we give anyone who has played for/supported/managed Bolton a wide berth 🙈

@KEVINMORT: Dave Challinor? Would be a popular choice.

@GedRobinson: Been doing a decent job at Hartlepool.

@joe_hpool: at least stay for the playoffs Dave 🙏

@_CJenkins: BRB, crying.

@_wrighty4: If they want him, they better pay a fortune.

@DaftLad94: Best manager weve had in a long time

@hallydesigns: Ffs

@adampinder0711: Even if he does go I can’t see him leaving before we win the play offs.

@JonnyWuTang: Hi @RequestABet can you offer me a price on Dave Challinor becoming the next Tranmere manager please

@Jack__Wood: The man had brought believe back not just to the fans who have been through the shit for the past 10+ years but the full town is back behind the club, we need to do everything possible to stop it.

@Steve_Sanford: Palios was reluctant to sack Hill until the fans demanded it. The fans want Challinor to replace him. Challinor is a “Tranmere man”. It may just be speculation at the moment, but the story has legs and isn’t going away.

@Tranmeresteve: If Tranmere win play offs it is widely accepted by the #tranmerehierachy that Ian Dawes will be the new Tranmere manager.

@MbwLdurham: Thank fully bookies go on people putting money on managers, so hopefully nothing to worry about, but if we go up, can’t see him leaving anyway

@asa_bloom: Be good to sing oh ahh David Challiner again but surly if Dawes and parky get us up or put up a good fight then they deserve the job 🤷‍♂️

pic.twitter.com/GoV9gD7vjX

— Jack Ashman (@JackAshmann) May 16, 2021

cheers, thank you. pic.twitter.com/iB0ePToeZK https://t.co/RoqZFjhObd

— jude (@drfcjude) May 16, 2021

DAVE CHALLINOR ONE OF THE FAVOURITES FOR TRANMERE JOB pic.twitter.com/525vgq5HMz

— Callum (@Callum_TRFC_) May 14, 2021