MIKE Newell was yesterday appointed manager of Luton Town as the possibility increased of Steve Cotterill replacing him at Hartlepool.

Cotterill pulled out of the chase to succeed Joe Kinnear at Kenilworth Road, leaving the path clear for Newell to make a swift return to the game, three weeks after being axed by Pool.

Luton managing director John Gurney revealed former Sunderland coach Cotterill rejected the chance to take over at Kenilworth Road because he had an interview yesterday for another managerial post - and one which he was confident of landing.

Cotterill said: "I was very flattered to be offered the Luton job from 70 candidates, but I just think it was the right club at the wrong time.

"Since leaving Sunderland I knew it would be very important career-wise for me to make sure I make the right decision choosing my next job.''

Pool are the only club actively seeking a new boss and chairman Ken Hodcroft held further interviews in Newcastle yesterday. An announcement is likely to be made towards the end of the week.

Cotterill struck up a close friendship with ex-Pool chief Chris Turner while in charge of Cheltenham and has previously expressed his admiration on how the club is professionally ran.

Pool youth team coach Martin Scott and Ipswich coach Tony Mowbray were also given a chance to impress yesterday and it was Terry Dolan's turn eight days ago.

Newell yesterday claimed a narrow victory following a telephone poll to decide the popular Joe Kinnear's successor.

Newell - who will face Pool at Kenilworth Road on August 30, just five games into the new season - signed a two-year contract after Luton announced he had won four more votes than either Kinnear or Steve Cotterill from supporters who voted on a premium-rate phone line.

The players voted en masse for ex-boss Kinnear, but non-season ticket holders and the board voted for Newell. How many of the non-season ticket holders included Pool fans and supporters of Luton's rivals Watford is unknown.

However, both Kinnear and Cotterill ruled themselves out of the running, leaving Newell the only remaining runner.

He said: ''The supporters will have a big say in this club and I've got to win them over. The only way you do that is with results.

''I think it's a natural thing for the players to have stayed loyal to Joe and I understand that. I think if the same thing had happened to me at Hartlepool I would have been guaranteed the players' vote as well.

"If they were happy with the old manager, I can understand that. I've just left a club where the players were happy with their manager.

''I've obviously identified players at every level because that was part of my job at Hartlepool.''

* Ex-Pool boss Chris Turner is planning a move for a third Pool favourite. After Graeme Lee and Paul Smith last week confirmed moves to Hillsborough, Turner admitted he is likely to sign striker Gordon Watson.

* Oldham are on the brink of closure following the breakdown of a deal to sell the club. If the deal is not revived and concluded before pay day on Friday, Oldham could be liquidated.

Read more about Hartlepool here.