The sacking of Hartlepool manager Craig Hignett after less than 12 months in charge has again raised the issue of managers getting enough time – with Stevenage boss Darren Sarll very clear on the subject.

The Comet: Stevenage manager Darren Sarll. Photo: Gavin Ellis/TGS PhotoStevenage manager Darren Sarll. Photo: Gavin Ellis/TGS Photo (Image: ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

“I’m going to say no [they aren’t given enough time],” he said. “Of course I’m going to say no.”

Hignett was handed the role at Victoria Park after Stevenage’s 2-1 success in the north east last February saw the end of Ronnie Moore’s reign.

But his departure this week came after 52 games in charge and just 15 wins.

He has been replaced by experience boss Dave Jones, with the former Southampton, Wolves and Cardiff boss set to watch the game from the stands.

Sarll though is just grateful that he has not been subject to such a stringent set of expectations at the Lamex.

He said: “This is no directive to any other club but what I have here is an excellent chairman and board of directors that have completely supported me and still support me.

“I think they’re different here. I had an informal conversation with the chairman maybe two years ago and he said to me in a really casual way, ‘would you ever want to be a first-team manager’ and I said ‘only here’. And when he asked why I said ‘because you don’t sack people’.

“We had a giggle but it’s true that he gives you a chance. He gave Graham [Westley] a massive chance when he came down from League One. I thought he gave Teddy [Sheringham] a good spell to implement what he wanted to do.

“And the big chance he gave me was after a really disappointing run of five or six defeats as caretaker manager, the easiest thing to do would have been to employ a manager who had journeyed League One or Two. But he said he had faith and that I needed a bit of support and advice so he brought in Glenn Roeder.

“That’s the big vote of confidence I got in that time.

“Managers in general don’t get enough time, of course not, but I’m thankful I’m at a very good club that the chairman and board of directors are of that way inclined and are that supportive. They really want to see the club do well and progress and they encourage me, back me and support me.

“I’d still like to be in a higher position but who wouldn’t.”