Hartlepool United terminate contract of John Hughes

Hartlepool have terminated the contract of first-team coach John Hughes and reserve-team coach Micky Barron.

Hughes was unable to save Pools from relegation to League Two after taking over at Victoria Park last November.

Pools finished 10 points adrift of safety, ending a six-year stay in the third tier.

Hartlepool said in a statement on their website: "The club would like to thank John for all his efforts to try and secure League One status."

It added: "We wish him all the very best for the future."

His arrival came after a disastrous start to the season under Neale Cooper, which resulted in the former Ross County and Gillingham boss resigning in October after a run of 12 games without a win.

It took Barron, and then former Hibs and Falkirk boss Hughes another 10 games to end that streak with a Boxing Day victory at Sheffield United, but despite a seven-match run from late January that earned the Scot the manager of the month award, Pool failed to pull clear of the bottom four and were eventually sunk by Oldham's win against Yeovil on 16 April.

Hughes had reiterated his desire to remain at the club for a promotion bid.

Barron's dismissal ends a 17-year association with the club where he made 377 appearances as a player and served as youth, reserve team and assistant coach.

He had two spells as caretaker boss between the departures of Mick Wadsworth and then Cooper.

Pools say there will be no further comment at this time.