Paul Hart left his role as Charlton’s academy director last month.

Due to restructuring, the Addicks created a new role of academy manager and invited Hart and Steve Avory to apply for the position. It is believed Hart stepped aside to allow Avory to get the position.

Hart is reported to be on the short list for the manager’s job at Blackpool.

Hart’s managerial career started at Chesterfield back in 1988, but he is possibly most well known for his work with the fledgling Leeds academy.

He was in charge of Nottingham Forest’s academy after leaving Chesterfield, but then moved to Elland Road and oversaw the emergence of many youngsters who made the breakthrough into the first team. Under Hart’s tutelage, Leeds won the FA Youth Cup in 1993 and 1997.

Hart left Leeds are a dispute with manager, George Graham, over the burgeoning talent of Jonathan Woodgate.

The Lancashire born 61-year-old then returned to the City Ground, initially as academy manager again, but he took over first team affairs from 2001-2004, following the departure of David Platt.

Hart went on to manage Barnsley, Rushden & Diamonds, Portsmouth, Queens Park Rangers, Crystal Palace and Swindon, gaining a reputation as a fire fighter, someone to call on when a club was in trouble.

Tony Jiminez recruited Hart to oversee the Charlton academy set up and during his time in charge, both the Under-18 and Under-21 teams have enjoyed success.

Players such as Callum Harriott, Jordan Cousins, Joe Pigott, Morgan Fox, Harry Lennon and Diego Poyet have emerged, as well as talented young coach, Nathan Jones, who is now at Brighton.

There have been consistent rumours linking Hart with the academy job at Manchester City, so it was somewhat surprising to hear of him being mentioned for a first team post.

It will be interesting to see whether his next job is at senior or youth level.