Sarll is in at the deep end with Pools

By Jon Couch

DARREN SARLL says Hartlepool United “won’t accept mediocrity” in their bid to regain their place in the Football League last season.

Sarll, the former Stevenage, Yeovil Town and Woking manager, was unveiled as new Pools boss yesterday after Kevin Phillips’ contract had expired and was not renewed.

Phillips replaced John Askey as boss in January and led Pools to 12th place in the National League with seven wins from 16 games in charge.

Reacting to the news of Phillips’ departure on Friday night, Hartlepool president and former Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling tweeted: “KP has been a breath of fresh air at our football club. I am gutted. Summer ruined.”

Sarll, 41, has managed over 300 games in senior football and, last season, led Woking to the National League playoffs for the first time ever in the club’s history after finishing fourth.

NEW ROLE: Darren Sarll

Now, on relocating to the north-east, Sarll is determined to awaken a sleeping giant of Non-League and has set his sights on another promotion tilt.

“I’m really excited to get started – the opportunity and challenge at the club is one I’m very much looking forward to,” Sarll said.

“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.

“I am fully aware of the amazing passion the fans have for the club. The intensity they bring gives us a huge advantage and we must capitalise on this community’s passion. I really want to create some lasting memories and be part of what is already an illustrious history.”

On Phillips’ departure, chairman Rav Singh said: “We had a difficult backdrop and precarious league position when the previous manager left. 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.”