Ex-Latics player and coach Paul Murray was fired after Hartlepool were knocked out of the FA Cup by non-league Blythe Spartans. Latics boss Lee Johnson has described the decision as a 'a joke' as Murray had only been in charge for 45 days.
Johnson said, “It’s a joke isn’t it? They have brought in a rookie, given him seven games and then have got rid of him. It is something that is very wrong in football at the moment. Managers all over the place are under pressure and it is having a real effect on English football. We are looking at wanting England to win the World Cup and bringing English managers through but we are making knee-jerk reactions. If you are going to give someone the opportunity to have a first-time job then you have to stick with them, because nobody can perform miracles with what was very poor recruitment before his term. I am angry about that one not just because he is my friend, but because I am a football person. I’m a young manager myself. Maybe it is not my place to talk about other clubs, but I will do on this occasion and I am very disappointed with the hierarchy at Hartlepool for what they have done.”
After speaking with Murray, Johnson went on, “He was very disappointed and rightly so, because he’s a passionate man. Now what does he do? He has to go and try to find himself a job, having been embarrassed by poor senior management at a football club.”