Pools closing in on Matthew Bates appointment as finer details are ironed out on deal

Bates was one of four candidates who were interviewed for the role over the course of the last seven days.

And after much deliberation and extensive talks, the Pools hierarchy have decided that caretaker Bates is their man.

Having guided the club away from the National League relegation zone, Bates’ Pools finished 15th, eight points off the drop having won five and lost just four of his 13 games in charge.

That sequence of results was enough to convince director of football Craig Hignett, who will work closely with any new manager, to recommend Bates to owner and chairman Raj Singh.

Bates has been offered the job, but the finer details of his contract, budget and coaching staff are still to be ironed out.

So, as yet, the deal is not signed and sealed.

Bates is desperate to keep Ged McNamee and Ross Turnbull on the staff after the unpaid duo were parachuted into Pools to aid the club in their hour of need.

The Mail has learned that the club have held talks with former Sunderland youth chief McNamee about an extended stay, after seeing his impact on the performance of players such as Blair Adams and Louis Laing.

The future of former Chelsea and Middlesbrough keeper Turnbull, who worked extensively with Scott Loach and Ryan Catterick, is less certain.

Bates has hinted in the past that Turnbull is weighing up his options, with a potential step into scouting his next move.

But Bates wants his former teammate on board and is pushing hard for the finances to complete his coaching setup.

Bates replaced former boss Craig Harrison in February, having worked as a coach under the ex-TNS boss, alongside Paul Jenkins.

Former Boro youth coach Jenkins’ future is also likely to be decided with any managerial announcement.