Cooper resigns as Pools boss (From The Advertiser Series)

Manager exits Victoria Park

5:31pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in Sport By Nick Loughlin

Neale Cooper

NEALE COOPER has today left Hartlepool United for the second time.

The manager has resigned with Pools bottom of League One following Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Bury – their 12th game without a win amid a miserable season.

Cooper was appointed in December last year, but has been unable to recapture the form or spirit that took Pools into the play-offs in successive seasons in 2004 and 2005 during his previous spell in charge.

He won only seven times in 40 games.

After Tuesday’s reverse, Cooper admitted: “We had a long chat afterwards in the dressing room, but it’s not good enough and whatever happens here they have to fight their way out of it. They have to stick together.

“See what happens with myself, that’s all we can do. It’s not been good enough.

“It’s not pleasant, it’s not my nature to be down. I see what happens.’’ Cooper met with chairman Ken Hodcroft this afternoon and a club statement read: “It is with reluctance that Hartlepool United today accepted the resignation of First Team Coach Neale Cooper.

“He decided that it was in the best interests of the Club that he stood down from his position as First Team Coach.

“Neale stated that he had been very disappointed with the results achieved since the start of the season and, although in several games luck had been against the team, he nevertheless believes they can move on and secure League One status with someone else leading the campaign.''

Micky Barron will take temporary charge at the weekend for the trip to Brentford.