Hartlepool United understood to have held talks with former midfielder over vacant manager's job
The Hartlepool Mail understands that Hartlepool United have held talks with Chris Beech over the vacant manager's job.
Pools have been on the hunt for their next permanent manager for more than a month following the sudden sacking of Simon Grayson, who was dismissed on October 12 after just 15 games at the helm.
The Mail understands that Pools spoke to Beech, who as a player scored 24 times in 104 games during a successful spell at Victoria Park, last week as controversial chairman and owner Raj Singh continues the hunt for the 14th permanent appointment of his tumultuous tenure.
Beech began his coaching career at Bury before a long and productive 12-year stint with Rochdale that included a brief spell in caretaker charge in 2011, drawing three and losing three of his six matches in the dugout.
It was during his time at Spotland that Beech established a reputation for the development of young players, often moulded in his own image to become exciting, attacking talents.
Recent managerial stints, however, have proven less successful and Beech failed to make too much of an impression in the dugout at either Carlisle, where he worked with former Pools first team coach Gavin Skelton and won 28 of his 88 matches, or Fylde, where he was sacking after winning 15 of his 42 games.
While his reputation has suffered somewhat as a result, it's worth remembering Beech was once the subject of interest from higher up the pyramid following an impressive run of results at Carlisle, while Fylde have gone backwards since his dismissal and were relegated to the National League North last term.
Although Pools retain an interest in the 51-year-old, the Mail understands the club are still considering interim manager Nicky Featherstone, who has won two, drawn three and lost one of his six games in temporary charge so far and that talks were also held with the veteran midfielder again last week.