'RUINED MY SUMMER'
Ex-England star, 50, leaves non-league club as dismissive statement released with Sky Sports legend ‘lost for words’
Former European Golden Boot winner jettisoned despite steering National League side away from relegation trouble
"GUTTED" Jeff Stelling blasted his beloved Hartlepool for "ruining summer" by ousting ex-England striker Kevin Phillips as manager.
The ex-Soccer Saturday host is "lost for words" after the fifth-tier club announced that the Sunderland legend had left as a result of his contract expiring.
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Former Stevenage, Yeovil and Woking chief Darren Sarll replaced Phillips just a day later.
Broadcasting legend Stelling shared the shock of many Pools supporters.
Ex-Watford, West Brom and Birmingham goal-poacher Phillips, 50, guided the one-time EFL stalwarts to safety after arriving in January on a short-term deal.
Previous boss John Askey had been sacked after Hartlepool dropped to 16th place with just one win in seven games.
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Under Phillips' management, the Pools delivered better performances and results but also had a few stinkers.
And he labelled a 7-1 loss at North-East rivals Gateshead on March 26 as one of the worst days of his life.
Deservedly leading early on and still level at the break, Hartlepool leaked six second-half goals as they slipped to derby humiliation.
But Stelling responded to Phillips' departure by posting on X: "JP has been a breath of fresh air at our football club. I am gutted, summer ruined."
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The talkSPORT Breakfast presenter asked Hartlepool to say if the ex-top flight strike hero had received a "blinding offer".
He added: “I know none of us think that is the case but I guess we have to wait to hear. Depressed regardless!"
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And after reported confirmation that it was Hartlepool's choice, Stelling added: "So now we all know. Not KP decision to leave at all. I am lost for words."
On their part, the Pools handed out a number of backhanded compliments in a statement that suggested Phillips was viewed as only equipped for a short-term fire-fighting job and had failed to lead the team towards the play-offs.
Chairman Raj Singh wrote on the club website: “Kevin has done a good job this season since coming in as Head Coach and he’s been great to work with.
"His remit upon appointment was firstly to make sure that the club retained its current league status and then from there to start looking up towards play-off positions.
“We had a difficult backdrop and precarious league position when the previous manager departed.
"We believed that Kevin was the right appointment to navigate through things and in the end he has helped comfortably ensure that the club stay away from any relegation concerns, which at one point were lingering.
“We put on record our thanks to Kevin and we all wish him the very best for the next steps in his career. He will always be welcome at Pools.”
And many fans were almost as surprised by the quick appointment of Sarll as they had been at losing Phillips.
Club director Andy Steel said: “We are delighted to have secured Darren to deliver in our quest to get back into the EFL.
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"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."
Sarll, 41, added: "I'm really excited to get started... I'm coming here in order to win and we need to close that gap to the play-offs.
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"We won't accept mediocrity, we need to challenge every season and that all starts from the dressing room.
"Creating a strong dressing room is the priority ahead of this pre-season."