Former Hibs captain and manager John ‘Yogi’ Hughes has been sacked by Hartlepool United after the team was relegated to League Two.
A statement on the club’s website said:- “The club would like to thank John for all his efforts to try and secure League One status since he joined the club in November 2012. We wish him all the very best for the future.
“Hartlepool United would also like to thank Micky for his commitment and effort during his time as assistant first and reserve team coach and he also leaves with our very best wishes.
“There will be no further comment at this time.”
Yogi’s arrival came after a disastrous start to the season under former Ross County boss Neale Cooper who resigned in October after a run of 12 games without a win.
His first game in charge was on November 17 which ended in a 5-0 defeat away to Steven Pressley’s Coventry City.
The poor run of form continued over the Christmas period, however a shock 3-2 win at league leaders Sheffield United on December 29 sparked hopes of a revival, but that proved to be a false dawn as Preston North End won 1-0 at Victoria Park on New Year’s Day.
Pool beat fellow strugglers Portsmouth 3-1 on January 26 then secured a 2-1 win over Notts County followed by back-to-back draws away to Swindon and at home to Portsmouth before a sensational run of three wins in three games against Leyton Orient, Scunthorpe and Crewe which earned Hughes the Manger of the Month award.
With the Hartlepool fans dreaming of escaping relegation a 3-0 defeat by eventual champions Doncaster was followed by a dismal run that saw Pools fail to score in the next seven games.
Wins against Bury and Tranmere boosted the points total, but draws in the last two games against Brentford and Crawley weren’t enough to fight off relegation.
In total Hughes took charge for 29 matches, winning eight, drawing nine and losing 12.
Born and brought up in Leith, Hibs fan Hughes started his playing career in junior football with Newtongrange Star before moving to Berwick Rangers. After a spell up front, he caught the eye of Swansea City where he played for a year before returning to Scotland with Falkirk. After over 100 games at Brockville, he signed for Celtic then moved to his beloved Hibs whom he captained to the First Division title.
His managing career started with Falkirk whom he kept in the SPL, reaching the Scottish Cup Final before he returned to Easter Road, where he guided Hibs to fourth place and a European spot, however a poor start to the following season saw him replaced by Colin Calderwood.
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
