Hartlepool United chairman Raj Singh has admitted the decision to sack Craig Hignett and Ged McNamee was with a heavy heart.

Hignett and McNamee have left their respective roles with immediate effect.

And now the search is on for a new boss, with Singh saying thank you for the pair’s efforts over the last eighteen months.

Singh said: “This has been, undoubtedly, one of the toughest decisions of my professional life.

“My relationship with Craig is well known and we were desperate for that to turn into success for the club we both care so much about.

“In business, you have to take a step back and decide if you have complete faith in where you are heading and if you are not then you have to be decisive.

“I owe it to myself, and to the fans who have shown such great support, to make decisions as I see them in the best interests of the club. The harsh reality is that we have not made the points progress we had hoped for on the back of the efforts that have been made.

“Craig and Ged have both been loyal, hard-working and given everything to try and deliver success, and we firmly believe they leave us with a stronger base as we seek to challenge in what is a very open National League this season. I want to thank them for all their efforts.”

First team coach Antony Sweeney has taken over the reins on a caretaker basis.