FORMER Newport County manager Michael Flynn has all but been ruled out for the vacant Hartlepool United manager’s job.

Flynn is currently out of work having stepped down from his position in October. His contract was going to run out at the end of the season but he decided to step leave the club early.

The odds on Flynn to become Pools new boss have shortened as the weeks have gone on but it's unlikely he'll be making the switch to the club. 

It’s understood that Flynn, 40, has spoken to a number of Championship clubs about vacant managerial positions and is looking to make the move up the football pyramid, one of the main reasons behind his departure from Rodney Parade.

Flynn wouldn’t be against the possibility of taking over a League One side but doesn’t want to stay in League Two, effectively ruling him out of the Hartlepool United manager’s job.

If Flynn wanted to make an immediate return to management, Charlton Athletic are the only side who have a vacancy where he is installed as the second favourite behind current caretaker boss Johnnie Jackson. 

The bookmakers had the former midfielder in at 6/1 to be appointed as the new manager at Victoria Park with Antony Sweeney and Andy Woodman still the favourites, despite both Bromley and Pools ruling Woodman out for the job.

It’s looking increasingly likely that interim boss Sweeney could be handed the position on a lengthier term should he keep steering the club through this period with strong results.

He spearheaded the team into the second round of the FA Cup last night after a shock 1-0 win over League One side Wycombe Wanderers. They’ll meet Lincoln City in the next round.

Their next game in the league comes against league leaders Forest Green Rovers who make the tirp to the newly named Suit Direct Stadium on Saturday.