“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 declined to renew the Sunderland legend’s contract.
Instead 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.
But despite starting promisingly, Phillips’ Pools finished 12th of the 24 National League teams after a series of erratic displays.
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.”
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
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!”
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.”
Pools’ chairman Raj Singh said of Phillips’ parting of the ways on Friday: “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.
“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.”
But 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.
“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.
“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.”
