Hartlepool United boss Darren Sarll is happy to have Lennie Lawrence alongside him in the dugout.
Hartlepool United manager Darren Sarll claims he invited Lennie Lawrence into the dugout when he joined him on the pitchside during the second half of Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Dagenham & Redbridge.
Lawrence, one of the few managers who have taken control of more than 1,000 games, watched from the directors box this season but turned up on the touchline as Pools sought to get back into the game against in-form Dagenham.
The veteran took over as caretaker manager of Pools last season and served as Kevin Phillips’ assistant, but he returned to an advising position after Sarll’s hiring in April.
However, the 76-year-old returned to the dugout for the second half on Saturday, sparking a rush of conjecture and concern.
Sarll, on the other hand, had no sympathy for the supporters’ worries and revealed that he had been trying to entice Lawrence back to the touchline throughout the campaign.
The Pools manager has a good friendship with former Watford, West Ham, and Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder, who advised Sarll during his first management stint at Stevenage.
Sarll compared Lawrence’s position to that of the famous Roeder and stated that the veteran was welcome in the dugout whenever he wished.
“I’ve never had that big of an ego where I don’t want help or advice,” he told me.
“Why wouldn’t I want Lennie Lawrence’s guidance after managing 1,150 games?
“I know that on prior coaching teams, Lennie was more welcome at times than others.
“I’ve been trying to get him in the dugout since the beginning of the season, but he doesn’t feel like he’s been here long enough to come down.
“I ask him to come in at halftime to help with the team talk, which I do every game.
“Today was the first time he accepted my offer, and I’d love to have him come on Tuesday, Saturday, and the next Saturday as well.
“You can never get enough of someone like Lennie Lawrence.”
“I was really fortunate to have Glenn Roeder for two years, but I haven’t had anyone like him since.
“Will I reach 1,150 games? I bloody hope not.
“To have someone like that is an incredible opportunity to learn and benefit from his advice and experience.”
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