HARTLEPOOL UNITED have started the process of appointing a new manager – with the club already receiving approaches.

After Matthew Bates was sacked on Wednesday, chairman Raj Singh is looking for a new boss to lift Pools from the mid-table in the National League, after a run of six successive defeats.

Director of football Craig Hignett will take charge of Saturday’s home game with Dagenham and, speaking at the Super 6 Stadium this afternoon, he revealed: “We get the right man, we don’t want it to drag on. Sooner than later. Take our time and appoint because the board feel he is the right man for the job and we grow together.

“We want to grow as a club together and take us up the leagues. If it’s not Matty then it’s got to be someone else. We want to be a club who gives a manager a chance.

“The response has been good so far, amazing. Countless CVs have been sent in. Myself and Mark (Maguire, chief executive) have had a lot to sift through. We take our time and whittle it down to speak to the right people.’’

Bates was appointed permanent boss in the summer after a solid stint as caretaker boss.

Pools suffered only two defeats in their opening 16 games before results and performances started to dip.

And, while both Hignett and Singh had spoke of the desire to keep Bates for the long-haul, it was decided on Wednesday afternoon to replace him.

Hignett admitted: “It was a massively difficult decision. I was desperate for him to be a success and am genuinely gutted it hasn’t worked out.

“I’m feeling the same he will be I’m sure – because I’ve been through it myself.

“We had a lot to deal with as a club, all them mismanagement which went on and he earned the chance for be a manager because of what he did last year – we should always be thankful for it.

“We have had some highs this season, recent results hadn’t helped but there more to it. He’s been here a few years, knows it well and I am gutted it’s not worked out.

“The chairman spoke to him and I’m sure he will be devastated. He took to the role and wanted to be a success.

“It was a decision out of the blue a bit. We didn’t envisage it happening.’’

He added: “The (low) crowd on Tuesday was not a factor. It was a concern, but not a factor. Liam Noble incident was the same, nothing to do with it. Purely a football decision.

“I don’t want the job – it’s temporary believe me. I was brought to the club to protect the club and the chairman’s interest. I can spend his money as manager.

“This gives us time to make the right choice as manager.’’