LEE JOHNSON, who appointed Paul Murray as his right-hand man at Oldham, has branded Murray’s Hartlepool United sacking as a joke.

Murray swopped Oldham for Pools on October 23, but was removed from his post on Saturday in the aftermath of their FA Cup exit to Blyth Spartans.

He lasted only seven games, and his stint is the shortest-lived in Pools’ 106-year history.

And Johnson said: “Maybe it’s not my place to talk about other clubs but it’s a joke. They’ve brought a rookie in, given him just six (sic) games and then got rid of him.

“It’s something that’s very wrong in football and I’m very disappointed with the hierarchy at Hartlepool.

“Not just because he’s my friend but because I’m a football person and a young manager myself.

“There are managers all over the place that are under pressure and it’s having a real effect on the English game.

“We talk about wanting to bring English managers through but then we have people making knee-jerk reactions off certain games.

“If you’re going to give somebody the opportunity to have a first time job then you have to stick with them.

“Nobody can perform miracles with what was very poor recruitment at the club before his term.’’

Johnson has replaced Murray with Dean Holden, meaning there’s no prospect of a swift return for Murray, who finds himself out of work.

Johnson added: “I spoke to him on Saturday morning and he is very disappointed and rightfully so as he is a passionate man.

“Now he has to go and try to get himself a job after being embarrassed by poor senior management at a football club.”

And Johnson’s sentiments were echoed by Bury chief David Flitcroft. The Shakers’ chief said: "When I see the Hartlepool manager getting sacked after seven games - it's become farcical; the world of football has become farcical," he said after his own team's 1-1 draw with Luton on Saturday.

"I think that heaps pressure on everyone at a football club."

Craig Hignett is the 1/ 4 bookmakers’ favourite for the post, with former Pools midfielder and current Rochdale assistant boss Chris Beech second in the running at 11/4.

A strong Pools reserve side lost 1-0 at Scunthorpe yesterday. Sam Collins took charge of the side, assisted by Ian McGuckin, the club’s youth phase coach – he heads up their development centres – and the pair are likely to be in charge for the weekend trip to Burton Albion.

“To get out in to a competitive game situation was loads better than simply working on the training ground and as a staff we were happy with what we got out of it and we told the players that,’’ said Collins.

Pools: Flinders, Richards, Bates, Austin, Holden, Featherstone, Woods (Compton 46), Dolan, Franks, Hawkins (Walker 55), Harewood (Fenwick 46). Subs (not used): Jones, Smith.