Hartlepool United appoint ex-Middlesbrough midfielder as new assistant first team head coach
Pools appoint Adam Clayton as new assistant first team head coach.
Hartlepool United have appointed former Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Clayton as new assistant first team head coach.
Clayton has agreed a two-year contract at Victoria Park, with the club holding the option of a further year. Clayton will form part of Lee Clark’s backroom staff at Pools, with Gary Liddle already in position as first team coach. The Pools squad are due back training at Maiden Castle later this month ahead of the new National League 2026-27 campaign. Clayton previously played under Clark at Huddersfield Town following the club's promotion to the Championship in 2012.
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Reacting to his appointment, Clayton said: “When I spoke with Lee and Chris Maxwell, it quickly became clear that there is a real vision for where this football club wants to go and a genuine determination to be successful. I've spent a long time in football and have been fortunate enough to work at some excellent clubs throughout my career.
“You get a feel very quickly for the direction a club is heading and I was hugely impressed by the plans that have been put in place here. You can already see that ambition through the work that's been done this summer. The additions of Jordan Hugill, Corey McKeown, Jack Nolan and Brooklyn Ilunga are exciting for everyone connected with the club and show the direction Pools wants to go. The opportunity to work alongside Lee again was a huge factor in my decision. We first worked together at Huddersfield Town and I've always had a huge amount of respect for him.
“He's a fantastic coach, somebody who knows exactly what he wants from his teams and someone I thoroughly enjoyed working with as a player. To have the opportunity to work alongside him again was something that really appealed to me. I'm passionate about coaching and helping players develop. I can't wait to get out on the training pitch, start working with the group and do everything I can to help the football club achieve its ambitions. There is a real sense of excitement around the place and I'm looking forward to being part of what I believe can be a very exciting chapter for Pools.”
During his playing days, Clayton made more than 500 senior appearances across the Premier League, Championship and EFL - including spells with Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and Middlesbrough. The former England Under-20 international also represented Birmingham City, Doncaster Rovers, Bradford City and Rochdale during a career that saw him work under the likes of Simon Grayson, Aitor Karanka, Tony Pulis, Garry Monk and Neil Warnock.
Clayton began his coaching journey with Matlock Town in 2024, progressing from player-coach to interim player-manager before later taking charge on a permanent basis.
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