HARTLEPOOL have sacked manager Mick Wadsworth, with Colin Cooper and Dave Penney among the early favourites to succeed him at Victoria Park.
Despite a relatively respectable current standing of 13th in League One, five points off a play-off spot, Wadsworth has paid the price for a club record run of seven straight home defeats, which had seen attendances plunge by around 1,000.
While first-team coach Micky Barron will take charge of the side at Brentford on Saturday, The Journal understands Cooper and Penney are the front-runners to land the job on a permanent basis.
Former Middlesbrough favourite Cooper – who still coaches at the Riverside – turned down the opportunity to take over from Mark Cooper at Darlington, while ex-Quakers boss Penney is out of work after leaving Bristol Rovers in March.
Wadsworth joined Pools as assistant manager in the summer of 2010 and quickly found himself promoted to caretaker boss following the shock departure of Chris Turner three games into last season.
The 61-year-old former Newcastle United coach and Carlisle United manager led Pools to a 16th-place finish in May and was rewarded for his efforts by being made permanent head coach in the summer.
He then oversaw a nine-game unbeaten run at the start of the current campaign, and an away record boasting five wins from nine league outings.
However, Pools have won only two of their last 10 league matches, and prior to their latest – a 1-0 home defeat by Preston North End eight days ago – Wadsworth admitted their ongoing malaise was “scary.”
Without a game last weekend due to the FA Cup, Pools chairman Ken Hodcroft has spent a period of reflection, but decided to part with Wadsworth’s services.
A club statement read: “It is with regret Hartlepool United have relieved Mick Wadsworth of his duties as head coach with immediate effect.
“Following a good start to the season, although the away performances have yielded some results, regrettably the last seven home defeats have been of concern and it was felt that a fresh direction was required.”
