DARRELL CLARKE has ruled himself out and Chris Beech has been ruled out of the running. Hartlepool United’s search for another new manager is not proving very popular.

A week after Pools sacked Paul Murray, who lasted only 44 days and seven games in charge, Sam Collins will take caretaker control for tomorrow’s game at Burton Albion.

An appointment is likely for next week and, while it’s unlikely that Pools would give the either Clarke or Beech the club’s reputation has taken a knock this week.

Oldham boss Lee Johnson, who previously had Murray on his coaching staff, Bury chief David Flitcroft and Huddersfield forward Grant Holt, a friend of Murray, have all been openly critical of the decision to dump the manager.

Clarke, a popular midfielder during his playing days at Victoria Park, was in charge of Bristol Rovers in the closing stages of last season when they were relegated from the Football League and he has this season put the club in contention for a promotion push.

He said: "It's always nice to be linked with any job. I spent a good six years playing up there. I still know a lot of people at the club, but I'm happy with my job.

"I've got unfinished business here, so nip that one in the bud straight away."

Clarke has admirers at Victoria Park, but Leroy Rosenior, a pundit on the BBC’s Football League Show, can’t see any reason why he would leave his current post with the Pirates.

Rosenior admitted: “I don’t know why Darrell would even consider jumping ship from Bristol Rovers to join Hartlepool as manager.

“Of course, Darrell used to play for Pools and, as an old boy, has close ties with the club . But as far as I’m concerned, he still has a job to do at the Memorial Stadium.

“Rovers are well-placed to challenge for promotion, he now has a stronger squad than at the start of the season and the club seems to be heading in the right direction after the disappointment of relegation from the Football League.

“Why would he want to swap that for an uncertain future at Hartlepool? Plenty of managers have tried to make it work up there and failed and there are two very good reasons for that. One is location – Hartlepool is a very long way away and is not the most attractive destination for players. The other is finance.

“Rovers may have had issues with their budget being cut, but they are far better off than Hartlepool. They are a bigger club, attract bigger crowds and have the potential to go further than Pools.’’

And, while Beech, another former Pools midfielder, entered the betting stakes earlier in the week, his boss at Rochdale has distanced his assistant from the post.

“Even if the rumours are true, if I was Chris Beech there's no way I would entertain going to Hartlepool as first team manager because look at Paul Murray - he's out of work within seven games!’’ said Hill.

“If it was something that Chris wanted to do, I would never stand in his way. With the experience I’ve had obviously with Flicker (Bury boss Dave Flitcroft, his former number two at Dale and Barnsley), I would never stand in Chris’ way of becoming a manager.

“Where's the plan from the people in charge at Hartlepool? Where's the faith that they've got in Paul Murray, the person they earmarked as the best person to manage them?’’

Pools cancelled their weekly press conference ahead of tomorrow’s game, with Collins being assisted by Ian McGuckin in the dug out.

The club is in the process of interviewing candidates for the job. Craig Hignett remains the 4/7 favourite with the bookies. Ronnie Moore, the ex-Tranmere and Rotherham chief, is now second in the running at 7/4, with Collins 4/1, Brian Laws 12/1 and Clarke 14/1.