RAJ SINGH has started the search for Hartlepool United’s sixth manager inside three years following the decision to part company with Matthew Bates after nine months at the helm.

Singh, the Pools chairman, has moved for a change after discussions with director of football Craig Hignett after Bates suffered a sixth defeat in a row against Fylde on Tuesday night left them 13th.

That reversal left Hartlepool eight points shy of the play-off places in the National League, eight points above the bottom four, and 19 adrift of leaders Leyton Orient, after a dip in form that led to a crowd of just over 1,700 inside the Super 6 Stadium on Tuesday.

Singh and Hignett - looking to make their second appointment since taking over - are now weighing up what direction to take, having decided to hand rookie boss Bates the managerial reins in May after he successfully guided the club to safety during his 13 matches as caretaker boss.

Alun Armstrong, Martin Gray, Peter Beardsley and Lee Clark are among those to have been mentioned with the post the last time around following Craig Harrison’s departure in February, and Bates was appointed after the impressive victory at Tranmere on the final day of last season. 

Bristol Rovers’ Darrell Clarke, a former Hartlepool midfielder who is under pressure after five defeats in a row, could be considered while experienced Phil Brown - who almost got the job a few years ago – is available again after leaving Swindon.
Another possible option is former Sunderland No 2 Robbie Stockdale, who would be interested in a frontline role. 

Hignett will take control of the first team and the plan is to make sure the right appointment is made as quickly as possible. He is expected to be assisted by goalkeeper coach Ross Turnbull and assistant Ged McNamee, who were brought in by Bates, for the game with Dagenham on Saturday.

A statement from Singh read: "I want to thank Matthew for all his hard work and dedication.

“The job he did last season in ensuring this club remained in the division should not be underestimated, especially given the difficult circumstances he was working under.

“It was absolutely vital for our long-term plans that we remained at National League level and all fans should be grateful that Matthew stood up and took on that challenge in the manner he did.

“He leaves the club with our very best wishes and we hope he goes on to enjoy a successful career in management.”

Bates, the former Middlesbrough defender, had recovered from a shaky start to the season to lead a rise up the table after a summer of huge change.  Bates and Hignett had brought in a number of players in the hope of making Hartlepool more of a force and have them competing at the top end of the division.

But the six defeats in a row has proved damaging and Singh has acted, having hinted in his programme notes on Tuesday night that a change could be around the corner if the results didn’t improve. 

Singh wrote: "Craig Hignett is determined to ensure that Hartlepool United is not a club that has a reputation for hiring and firing managers - obviously he has his own experience on that front and it's something I agree with. 

"We want this club to be one where good managers will come and see it as a good opportunity, and where they will be given the time to do the job. But we will keep an eye on results and we will go from there. 

"I think we've built a real trust which is a healthy thing between chairman and manager at a football club. 

"Hopefully he can turn things around and get us back on track again sooner rather than later but if not then I know we have the type of relationship where we can have an open and honest discussion about what is in the best interests of the football club."

That has led to his departure.  Stockton-born Bates is due to turn 32 in December and will now assess his options. He has been keen to give the coaching game a crack after his playing days came to an end after a series of injuries and Hartlepool was his first job.