Phillips leaves Hartlepool as Sarll takes over

Hartlepool United head coach Kevin Phillips has left the National League club following the conclusion of their 2023-24 National League campaign.

The former England striker and Sunderland legend, 50, was appointed in January after taking over from previous boss John Askey.

Phillips oversaw seven wins from 16 games but the club missed out on the play-off places by a margin of 11 points.

He has been replaced by former Stevenage, Yeovil Town and Woking boss Darren Sarll.

Pools said in a statement that Phillips' contract had only been to the end of campaign and it had "come to an end".

Hartlepool were relegated from League Two in 2023 and have been off the pace on their return to fifth-tier football.

Askey left the club in December following a run of only three wins in 19 league games and six without a win.

Phillips won his first Pools game in charge when they defeated York 2-1 at home on 27 January and oversaw four wins from his first five games in charge.

The former South Shields boss then oversaw a five-game winless run, culminating in a chastening 7-1 defeat at north east neighbours Gateshead on 26 March, as their season fizzled out.

Sarll was sacked by Woking in November following a run of eight defeats in 10 matches.

"I'm coming here in order to win and we need to close that gap to the play-offs. We won't accept mediocrity, we need to challenge every season and that all starts from the dressing room," he told the Hartlepool website.

"I can’t wait to start. Creating a strong dressing room is the priority ahead of this pre-season."

Club director Andy Steel added: "He presented a very clear and compelling view of how he wants to build the squad, deliver a positive style of football that statistically supports success in this league, and create a winning mentality and culture.

“Critically, Darren also has an in-depth knowledge of the National League and its players as well as first-hand experience of getting teams to play-offs, which were all key criteria for the board when looking at a managerial appointment to move forward."