National League manager quits in post-match interview after nine matches in charge

Lee Clark stepped down from his role as Hartlepool boss moments after their 3-1 defeat to Worthing.

The National League side confirmed the 53-year-old's exit to bring an end his four-month stay at Victoria Park.

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Clark only took charge of the fifth-tier outfit in May, but he endured a nightmare time in the North East.

Hartlepool have won just three of their opening nine league matches, while they have lost on six occasions.

Five of those losses have come from their last six fixtures in the division.

They have also been defeated in their opening two games in the National League Cup.

And Saturday's home loss to Worthing has proven to be the final straw for Clark.

What did Lee Clark say in his post-match press confernece?

Clark, who featured for Newcastle and Fulham in the Premier League, made the announcement in his post-match presser after fans serenaded him with a brutal chant of, 'You're getting sacked in the morning'.

He said: "There was no reaction to the result [2-1 defeat to Altrincham midweek] or the performance, all I want to say is I resign from my position with immediate effect.

"I wanted to give this club and the fans something to be proud of, what they deserve, I haven’t been able to do that unfortunately.

"I know what this club means, I said it at the start when I got the job, I was excited to take it and I wanted to be the man that got them back where they need to be and deserve to be.

"It hasn’t worked out, you’ve heard the reaction of the supporters, I took a long time out of the game and I wasn’t going to be coming back and getting an atmosphere like that.

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"It’s not going to change and it’s not nice for the family and friends to listen to that."

Clark added: "I wish whoever takes the job on success, I wish the fans all of the best, they’re a magnificent group of people.

"The people in behind the scenes, my staff, the people in the offices, they’re absolutely brilliant and the support I’ve had from the chairman, the owner, Chris Maxwell, it’s been fantastic.

"But you have to understand in this game, I’m nearly 54, you have to understand when things aren’t going your way.”

What did Hartlepool say in their statement?

Issuing a brief statement, Hartlepool said: "Hartlepool United Football Club can confirm that Lee Clark has resigned from his position as Head Coach with immediate effect.

"We would like to thank Lee for his service during his time at the club and wish him every success for the future. A further update will be provided in due course."

Hartlepool have a week to bring in an interim before they battle Scunthorpe on the road, with a clash against Harrogate Town coming three days after.