6 managerial appointments Hartlepool United could consider following Lee Clark's departure
Lee Clark stepped down from his role as Hartlepool United head coach following Saturday’s home defeat against National League rivals Worthing.
Hartlepool United are working to appoint a new head coach following Lee Clark’s decision to step down just minutes after Saturday’s disappointing home defeat against National League rivals Worthing.
The former Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder was appointed as Pools boss during the summer and there were high hopes an upturn in fortunes was just around the corner following a major overhaul of the squad he inherited. Those hopes were further raised during the first week of the season as Clark’s new-look side followed up a 2-0 home win against Barrow with a battling win at Aldershot Town just seven days later.
However, a run of five defeats in their following six games ramped up the pressure on Clark ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s meeting with National League newcomers Worthing - and a further loss against the Rebels proved to be the final straw as Clark confirmed his decision to step down in a short post-match press conference just minutes after the defeat.
So what comes next and who could be the next man appointed to take charge of Pools as they look to resurrect their fortunes following a disappointing opening six weeks to a campaign that promised so much?
Dave Challinor
The dream appointment for many Poolies - but one that is will surely remain a dream. Challinor is still held in understandably high esteem by his fans of his former club - and his comments in recent weeks during a stint sitting alongside Rob Law on co-commentary duties for BBC Tees Sport’s coverage of the club shows that feeling is clearly mutual. However, with managerial vacancies arising further up the English football pyramid, it seems certain Challinor will come under consideration and a romantic return to the club he guided back into the EFL will likely remain out of reach.
Pete Wild
The former FC Halifax Town boss remains out of work after leaving Tranmere Rovers following a short stint as interim manager of the League Two club during the final months of last season. The 42-year-old forged a strong reputation for himself during his time at The Shay by winning 65 of his 139 games in charge and guided the Shaymen into the second round of the FA Cup during the 2021/22 season. After leaving to take charge of Barrow at the end of the same campaign, Wild led the Bluebirds to ninth place in the League Two table and that was followed by an eighth placed finish during the following season. Wild had a short break from the dugout after leaving Barrow during the summer of 2024 before overseeing two mid-table finishes during an 18-month stint in charge of Fleetwood Town before he was sacked in January this year. Still out of work and with National League experienced, Wild could be an intriguing option.
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Stuart Maynard
After working under current Barnet manager Dean Brennan during their time with the likes of Hemel Hempstead Town, Billericay Town, Kingstonian and Wealdstone, Maynard took the lead role in the dugout with the latter and helped the Stones solidify a reputation as an attractive, high-energy side that troubled some of the bigger boys in the National League. Maynard enhanced his own reputation during that time and he was lured away by League Two club Notts County in January 2024 and he guided the Magpies to the play-off semi-final during his first full season in charge before a defeat against AFC Wimbledon ended any thoughts of promotion. Sacked at the end of the 2024/25 season, Maynard returned to the dugout with York City in the opening weeks of last season and he impressed once again as the Minstermen landed a long-awaited return to the EFL when they were crowned as National League champions on a dramatic final day of the season. However, Maynard was sensationally sacked by York just days before the current season - and he remains available.
Matt Hamshaw
Hamshaw was believed to be under consideration to take charge of Pools during the summer before they moved their focus towards other options. The former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder was succeeded by Lee Clark following his departure from Rotherham United during the final months of last season and has since returned to work as first-team coach at League One club Sheffield Wednesday. Whether he would be tempted by a return to the lead role in the dugout is questionable as he plays a key role in the Owls attempts to bounce back from relegation into the third tier at the first attempt.
Michael Appleton
Appleton would bring plenty of experience after spending time in charge of the likes of Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United during a 15-year managerial career. The former Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion midfielder has been out of work since leaving Shrewsbury Town midway through last season after a run of four wins in just 16 games had put their League Two status under severe risk. A lack of experience managing within the National League and having three jobs in the space of three years will be of concern.
Antony Sweeney
A Pools legend, a familiar face and a trusted figure. Sweeney made over 440 appearances during a 13-year spell in the first-team setup at Victoria Park before winding down his playing career with spells at Carlisle United and Gateshead. Initially returning to The Vic as part of Craig Hignett’s backroom staff after working within Pools youth setup, Sweeney had four separate stints as interim manager and worked as first-team coach under Dave Challinor and assistant manager under Kevin Phillips. Departing to join Gateshead as first-team coach in July 2024, Sweeney went on to spend time with Crawley Town and is currently on the coaching staff at League One club Stockport County and has said he does not want to be a manager - but could a return to the lead role in the dugout with Pools prove too tempting to resist?
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