Eyebrows were raised among the Dale fanbase on Friday afternoon as manager Robbie Stockdale emerged as favourite for the vacant Hartlepool United job.
Although some supporters had been hoping for a managerial change as we approached the end of the 2021/2022 campaign, few expected it to come as a result of interest from elsewhere.
However, just a day after the news that Hartlepool had decided to part ways with Graeme Lee, the Dale manager's odds to take over at Victoria Park have plummeted to the point where he is now 1/1 favourite.
As we head into the final game of the season at Newport, Dale sit in 20th position in the league and although it's been a disruptive campaign off the field, many questions have been raised about the manager's suitability as a long-term option.
It seemed however, that the board were willing to give him another summer to reshape his squad and the start of next season, but does this link to Pools throw that notion up in the air?
Being from Redcar and still living in his native North-East, it's clear to see why Stockdale may be tempted to Victoria Park, but the honest question is - what could be attracting Hartlepool to him at the moment?
The 42 year old still has a year on his contract at Spotland so the Pools would have to pay compensation to Dale if they decide that Stockdale is their man.