FORMER Blackburn favourite Mike Newell has admitted he felt 'partly relieved' after being dismissed by newly-promoted Hartlepool United.

Newell was sacked by the Second Division club last Friday without being given an explanation just six months into his reign at Victoria Park.

The club published a terse three-line statement stating Newell's contract would not be renewed but refused to give any reasons behind the decision.

The news came as a major blow to the 38-year-old, particularly as he had just led the club to promotion for only the third time in their history.

But although he was angered by the way his sacking was conducted, he has since confessed to a feeling of relief that his stint in the North East is now over.

"The biggest disappointment was the timing of it," said Newell, who took over from Chris Turner when he left for Sheffield Wednesday.

"We were due to move up to a new house just outside of Darlington next week.

"They let me carry on after the season and plan my move up there knowing what was going to happen and I think that is poor.

"I've not got anything bad to say about any individual and I do not wish the club anything bad.

"I was not completely shocked when it happened to be honest and driving home to Southport I was not as low as you might think.

"It has taken a couple of days to sink in.

"Obviously the football side of things is a massive disappointment but I won't miss the stuff off the field and, in all honesty, I even felt partly relieved when it happened."

When Newell first took over Pool were four points clear at the top and went on to open up a 14-point gap on their nearest rivals.

However, in the closing months of the season, that lead was gradually whittled away and they had to settle for second spot after losing to eventual champions Rushden and Diamonds on the final day of the campaign.

Nevertheless, the club still achieved what was only the third promotion in their entire history and Newell's overall league record hardly justified getting the chop.

The former Everton striker ultimately believes the reason behind his departure was his failure to bow to the demands of United chairman Ken Hodcroft.

But he has also hit out at the club for keeping him in the dark about their plans for the future.

"I had a fixed-term contract which was due to expire at the end of the month and on Friday I was told they were not taking it any further," Newell said.

"He (chairman Ken Hodcroft) did not give me a reason, I asked several times for one but he refused.

"I suspect I know what it is though - I do not conform.

"I happen to believe that when you manage a football club you live and die by your selections and what you get out of the players. You can't have any outside interferences."

Now Newell plans to hold talks with the League Managers Association about a possible case for wrongful dismissal.