Hartlepool United chairman Raj Singh accepts full responsibility as Pools hits rock bottom and offers shock admission over Paul Hartley appointment

Singh made even more explosive comments in his final matchday program notes ahead of Keith Curle’s first game in charge against the Gills, having done so to hit back at his detractors last time out at home.

Curle was named caretaker manager last week after Singh parted ways with Paul Hartley following a one-game winning streak in 11 games in all competitions and is the fourth permanent manager in less than a year at Suit Direct Stadium.

Curle takes over from Hartley, Graeme Lee and Dave Challinor for the past 12 months, with Antony Sweeney and Michael Nelson also taking care of the interim helm during this period as Pools’ search for stability continues.

But after Hartley was sacked following the abject 2-0 loss at Sutton United, Singh has now been candid, having not been involved in Curle’s unveiling as manager, with the chairman taking responsibility for the situation in which he stood. find the pools as well as making a startling admission to Hartley’s summer appointment process involving the club’s non-executive director Adrian Bevington.

“We had to act very quickly over the weekend to make the changes we felt were desperately needed,” Singh wrote of Hartley’s sacking.

“There’s been a lot of talk about the fact that we’re now on our fourth manager in a year. It never looks good for a chairman to keep changing managers, but what can you do when you’re in a position where we have won a game in the last 20, including last season?

“A decision was made at the end of last season to make a change and give the new manager the best chance to bring in his own players and have a full pre-season behind him and hopefully start .

“Furthermore, Paul’s appointment came about when Adrian [Bevington] called an agent in Scotland to inquire about another manager who had been very successful there. However, he was told that this particular manager was happy where he was and offered the name Paul Hartley.

“At that time, I didn’t know anything about Paul Hartley. In fact, I couldn’t even remember him as a player.

“On Adrian’s recommendation, along with Lee Rust, the three of us met with Paul and following his interview, we heard all the good things and decided to nominate him.

“The only thing I would say in my defense is how many of these managers have left the club because they can’t work with me or because I interfered too much in the affairs of the team.

“I strongly believe that a manager should have a free hand to do their job without any interference from the top.

“Having said all of that, I fully understand that the buck stops with me and I accept full responsibility for where we are as a club.

“So if I keep getting it wrong, maybe I should take a long look in the mirror and then take stock.”