Former Stags boss Cox linked with Hartlepool job

Cox has just missed out on the National League play-offs as his Barrow side finished seventh and they want to keep him.

But bookies have him as 8/1 to replace Dave Jones at the Victoria Ground.

Also said to be in the running are Craig Harrison, Matthew Bates, Marcus Bigfnot and Sam Collins.

The vastly experienced Dave Jones left Hartlepool by mutual consent last month after they dropped into the League Two relegation zone with Bates taking interim charge for the final two games of the season, but unable to prevent the club from being relegated from the Football League after 96 years.

Pools are now looking to bring in a manager with experience in the National League and Cox fits the bill, having guided the Stags to promotion back into the Football League in 2013 after a five-year absence.

Appointed Stags boss in the summer of 2011, the 45-year-old led them to promotion in his second year in charge.

Cox, who has also managed Eastwood Town and Torquay United, has been at Barrow since November 2015.