Hartlepool United appoint Lee Clark as first team head coach plus new head of recruitment announced
Hartlepool United appoint Lee Clark as first team head coach plus new head of recruitment announced
Hartlepool United have announced the appointment of Lee Clark as the club’s new first team head coach.
The club has also announced Chris Beech is returning to the club in a new role as head of recruitment, while former Pools captain Gary Liddle is to remain at the club as part of the first team coaching staff.
A Pools statement read: “An additional assisting first team coach will be announced in due course following the conclusion of current season commitments. The appointments follow an extensive review of the club’s football operations carried out by Bromby & Partners, who were appointed in March to support development and transition of the football structure ahead of the 2026/27 season.
“A highly experienced manager and former Premier League midfielder, Clark joins Hartlepool United with more than 15 years of managerial and coaching experience across the English Football League, Scottish Premiership, Middle East and Africa.
“Clark made more than 500 senior appearances during a distinguished playing career with Newcastle United, Sunderland and Fulham across the Premier League and Championship, and captained Fulham during his time at Craven Cottage.”
Clark is a UEFA Pro Licence holder. The Wallsend-born head coach has previously led Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City, Blackpool and Kilmarnock. Clark was named as successor to Matt Hamshaw at the League One club Rotherham United 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. Prior to that, Clark had been out of management since spending time overseas with Al-Merrikh and Al-Ittihad.
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What has Lee Clark said after being appointed?
“I’m incredibly proud to be given the opportunity to lead this football club. Hartlepool United is a club with a strong identity, passionate supporters and a real connection with its town. From my conversations with Chris Maxwell and the Chairman, it was clear there is a genuine determination throughout the club to build something supporters can believe in again and that ambition was a huge part of why I wanted to be involved.
“My focus now is on building a team that reflects the energy, honesty and work ethic that people in this town expect to see every week. We want a team that competes with intensity, plays with purpose and understands the responsibility that comes with representing this football club. Standards are hugely important and we want players who demand the best from themselves and each other every day.
“Gary’s experience and understanding of the football club will be really important moving forward, while Chris Beech will play an important role in supporting the wider football strategy around the first team. I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
There is a great deal to be done on the transfer front, last week 13 players were released, there are now only seven players currently contracted to the club with deals offered to a further three. Pools, meanwhile, remain in contract discussions with Luke Charman, Campbell Darcy and Jack Hunter. Kian Foreman, Max Kouogun, Jamie Miley and Nathan Sheron were all under contract for next season, with options activated on Jay Benn, Josh Donaldson and Reiss McNally.
Nicky Featherstone’s managerial reign was brought to an end following the final day defeat at National League rivals Boston United. Football advisory firm Bromby and Partners have overseen a widespread review of all football operations at the Prestige Group Stadium in recent months and that has played a significant role in the decision to move to appointment a new manager in Clark.
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