Former England boss talks 'complicate' Hartlepool United search for Nicky Featherstone successor

Hartlepool United’s reported bid to appoint former Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder Lee Clark as their new manager are said to have been aided by a ‘complicated’ situation at Rotherham United.

The Geordie was was named as successor to Matt Hamshaw at the League One club in mid-March and is said to have made a positive impression during his time at the AESSEAL New York Stadium despite being unable to help the Millers preserve their third tier status during the final month of the season. Clark, who had been out of management since spending time in Oman and Sudan four years ago, is keen to convert his short-term deal with Rotherham into a longer-term appointment and front their bid to make an immediate return to League One. However, he seemed to share his frustration over the situation following what could now go down as the final game of his time in charge of the Millers.

Speaking after a 3-2 defeat against Wycombe Wanderers on the final day of the season, the former Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder said: "I thought it would have been cleared up. My contract finished after the game. There have been conversations - a face-to-face conversation and two over the phone. It was indicated to me that I had to start making plans as the manager. I've done that with decisions on the retained list, the released list, the players we have options on and whether we're going to take up those options et cetera.

“But, because there's not been any progress, I'm not now the manager of the club. I had told the players that I was getting them into tomorrow morning and Monday morning - a 15-minute slot for each player - to talk with them over what the plans were. That can't happen because I'm not officially the manager anymore. I'm not going to be making decisions on people's futures if I might not still be around."

‘Complicated’

Pools had made progress in a deal to appoint another former Black Cats midfielder after holding talks with Lee Cattermole last week and he appeared to be in line to be named as Nicky Featherstone’s successor over the weekend after reports suggested he had approached Steve Agnew to join his coaching staff at the Prestige Group Stadium. However, Clark’s name has now entered the free and a report from the Rotherham Advertiser has claimed the situation with the Millers has been ‘complicated’ by talks with former Middlesbrough and England head coach Steve McClaren, who is said to have held two rounds of talks with the club about a possible ‘upstairs role’ at the club.

The report states McClaren could be named in a director of football style role after holding talks with Millers vice-chairman Richard Stewart and COO Paul Douglas last week and would be keen to play a role in the appointment of a new manager should he accept a position with the club as they prepare for life in League One.

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