FORMER Middlesbrough players Colin Cooper and Graham Kavanagh are the front-runners for the Hartlepool United job after John Hughes was sacked yesterday - informed of the news while on his summer holiday.

After weeks of speculation surrounding Hughes' future, his contract was terminated along with long-serving coach Micky Barron, after the pair were unable to stave off relegation to League Two.

It is understood a breakdown in the relationship between the boardroom and the manager was a significant factor in the departure, just six-and-a-half months after replacing Neale Cooper.

Chairman Ken Hodcroft has started his search for a replacement, Pools' fourth boss in two years, and is determined to have his next managerial appointment in place well before the start of pre-season training on June 24.

Kavanagh, assistant to Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott, has been prominent in Pools thinking, although he is close to signing a new contract at Brunton Park.

The Irishman, 39, who lives on Teesside, played for a number of clubs, and helped Sunderland to promotion under Roy Keane in 2007.

And Cooper, an academy coach at Middlesbrough, has emerged as a big contender - after being considered by Hodcroft on a couple of past occasions.

The 46-year-old was Gareth Southgate's assistant during his time in charge at the Riverside Stadium and has taken caretaker charge of both Boro and Bradford City. He has long been keen to seal a full-time move into front-line management.

Former Pools midfielders Tommy Widdrington, now managing Eastbourne Borough, and Darrell Clarke, who has led Salisbury to Sunday's play-off final of the Blue Square Bet South, are also among a long line of people interested.

Hodcroft's decision to end Barron's 17-year association with Pools signals a willingness to allow his new manager to bring in his own assistant.

When Hughes was appointed on November 17 he was expected to work alongside Barron and together they began with a 5-0 defeat to Coventry City.

Pools were rooted to the foot of League One when Hughes took over, after collecting just eight points from the start of the season. He was installed on the back of a 16-match winless streak.

There was improvement after the turn of the year when Hughes oversaw a run of five wins from seven matches to give Pools hope of staying in the division.

But they went down with three games to go and Hughess tenure ended with 33 points from a possible 87; winning eight, drawing nine of his 29 matches.

There was no explanation for Hughes' sacking from Victoria Park last night, although the former Celtic defender wasn't shocked when he was informed by the club by telephone, while abroad on holiday.

A statement read: "Hartlepool United can announce that John Hughes and Micky Barron have been given notice of termination per the relevant clauses in their contracts of employment.

"The club would like to thank John for all his efforts and try to secure League One status since he joined the club in November. We wish him all the very best for the future.

"Hartlepool 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 best wishes."

Barron first joined the club as a player on loan from Middlesbrough in 1997. Hartlepool's former captain stepped into coaching as youth team boss in 2007 and was promoted to first team coach alongside Mick Wadsworth in 2011.