Ex-Newcastle and Sunderland star Lee Clark NOT in talks over Hartlepool job

The former Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder has been linked with the post since Craig Harrison was sacked in February.

The Mail exclusively revealed yesterday that new Pools owner Raj Singh is looking to appoint a manager next week, and that four people have been interviewed.

Reports today claimed that Clark was one of the men on the shortlist, and that he had offered to work for free in the past. However, sources close to Clark, who has been out of work since leaving Bury earlier this season, insist he has not held any talks with Singh or director of football Craig Hignett.

Matthew Bates has been in caretaker charge since Harrison’s dismissal, and is under consideration for the job on a full-time basis having steered the club to National League safety.

Other names linked with the position include Blyth Spartans boss Alun Armstrong, a former team-mate of Hignett’s at Middlesbrough, and Spennymoor’s Jason Ainsley.

However, the Mail understands York City boss Martin Gray is not in the frame, despite having been heavily tipped to end up at Victoria Park.

Clark, whose CV also boasts Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Kilmarnock, was linked with the job earlier this year, and took in a couple of games this season, but has never held any talks with the club’s hierarchy.

Pools play their last game of the season at Tranmere tomorrow.