RONNIE MOORE has left Hartlepool United.

The manager has departed by mutual consent after Tuesday's embarrassing 2-1 home defeat by Stevenage - Pools' eighth home defeat of the season. 

Former Pools coach and Middlesbrough assisstant manager Craig Hignett has been installed as clear odds-on favourite for the post. He was at Victoria Park on Tuesday to take the game in. 

"This is an extremely difficult decision but one we feel is right for the Football Club,” explained Chairman Gary Coxall, who watched the Stevenage defeat.

"Ronnie has worked tirelessly to bring success to the Club during his time at The Vic and we thank him sincerely for those efforts and wish him well for the future.”

Moore performed wonders in keeping Pools up last season from a perilous position, but this campaign they have floundered and he leaves with the team third bottom in League Two, four points ahead of the bottom two. 

It is not yet known if assistant boss Sam Collins has also left. 

Eddie Kyle, the club's former assistant manager and now a radio commentator for BBC Tees,  claimed the decision to axe Moore was right.

“If the change had not been made Pools would have dropped out of the league,” said Kyle.

“It’s not nice to hear that anyone has lost their job.

“I feel it is a change that had to be made if Pools are to survive this season in League Two.”

He added: “Having watched Pools this season they don’t seem to have improved much since last season.

“Ronnie has been allowed to sign over 20 players so the chairman has backed him.

“It’s been his team, his squad, but the team has lacked organisation, leadership and motivation.''

 

Latest odds (from Bet Victor)
Craig Hignett 1/8
Lee Clark 6/1
Sam Collins 12/1
Tommy Miller 12/1
Mark Robins 14/1
Ritchie Humphreys 14/1
Mark Cooper 16/1