By Charlie Summerbell
October 25 2012

The inevitable has happened, coated in sugar this time, and now the job of replacing Neale Cooper as manager of Hartlepool United has begun. Anybody know any magicians?

Harry Potter’s out of work isn’t he? Pools probably have as much chance of signing him as they have many of those being linked with the job.

Seven years ago, Cooper’s sudden departure was treated with dismay by the fans as Pools culled one of the most popular managers the club has ever had without an explanation.

This time, fans had been calling for Cooper’s head and there was no need for anybody to say a word … he has gone because his results have been rubbish.

The club amazingly claimed his resignation had been accepted “with reluctance” … surely they don’t expect people to believe they wanted him to stay do they? But otherwise they have made all the right noises so the boss’s exit has been as dignified as possible.

Cooper may not have won many matches, but he was always passionate about the game and the club and his memory should not be tarnished by the last ten months. The players deserve the blame more than he does.

For the second time, Micky Barron is in charge as caretaker and he will no doubt fancy his chances of having a go full-time.

But he will be just one of many linked with the job.

Just look at some of the names being mentioned in bookies’ odds: Micky Barron, Phil Brown, Brian Laws (again), Tommy Widdrington, Richie Barker, Mark Venus, Darrell Clarke, Dave Penney (again), Richie Humphreys, Peter Jackson, Andy Scott, Paul Trollope, Lawrie Sanchez, Paul Ince, Sammy McIlroy … it goes on and on.

The one thing we can be sure of is that chairman Ken Hodcroft will say nowt until he announces who has got the job.

Let’s hope the winner has a magic wand.