Confusion reigns as former Celt moves south

Hartlepool have moved to explain the confusion over the appointment of John Hughes after Phil Brown believed that he had the job.

The former Hull and Preston boss had spoken to the Hartlepool Mail about his expectations for the job but by early evening Hughes was being unveiled as the successor to Neale Cooper.

Hughes was at a Livingston-Partick Thistle reserve match yesterday afternoon but quickly informed Livi that he was resigning and on route to the League One side.

Hartlepool chief executive Russ Green explained: “We had 48 serious applicants for the role. We drew up a shortlist and Phil Brown was on that list. We had John Hughes on there as well and a couple of others.

“It was never said that Phil Brown was going to come and we never said there was a number one or a number two choice.

“John was someone who had applied for the job before and was someone I’d always been very taken with. He was always on the shortlist and we’re over the moon he is here.”

Green added: “A big name doesn’t guarantee anything. Look at MK Dons, they tried the likes of Paul Ince before appointing Karl Robinson, a young, up-and-coming manager, and they are flying now.

“We wanted experience at the same time and John has that in abundance. He built a great club at Falkirk over six years and that’s what we want him to do here.

“He shares our vision of where we want the club to go and we’re certain we have the right man.”

Former Celt Yogi said: “I’m excited but I’m under no illusion that there is a lot of hard work in front of us. I need to get in there and engage with the players and inspire them.

“They have to trust in me and trust in each other and believe that they can win football matches.

“Hopefully that will be on Saturday against Coventry and we can get ourselves out of this position.

“Not much in football fazes me and I’m up for this challenge. We need the supporters because we have to get a spirit going here. I’ll support the players, I’ll talk to them, I’ll cuddle them – I’ll do what I have to.”

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