Exclusive:Lee Cattermole has 'nothing to prove' to Hartlepool United after Gateshead appointment
Former Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder Lee Cattermole has been named as manager of National League club Gateshead.
Lee Cattermole has insisted he has nothing to prove to Hartlepool United after he was appointed as new manager of National League rivals Gateshead.
The former Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder was strongly linked with the Pools managerial vacancy in the aftermath of Nicky Featherstone’s departure and reports suggested Cattermole was working to piece together his backroom staff ahead of confirmation of his appointment at Victoria Park. However, it was former Newcastle United star Lee Clark that was named as Featherstone’s successor earlier this month and the new Pools boss is working hard to strengthen his squad ahead of his first season in charge.
Clark will now come up against Cattermole when the new campaign gets underway after the latter was confirmed as Gateshead’s new manager on Tuesday afternoon after holding talks with Tynesiders interim chairman Graham Wood over the last fortnight. The 38-year-old has penned a two-year deal at the International Stadium and he has stressed his only focus is on making the most of the opportunity he has been given - rather than proving anyone wrong.
When asked if he had something to prove after the Hartlepool speculation, he told The Mail: “I have to prove myself everyday in football, that’s something you’ve got to do - but I have nothing to prove to Hartlepool. That was documented, I don’t know where it came from. It’s not something I’m even thinking about. For me, to get the opportunity to manage a team in this league, is something I really excited about and I’m looking forward to the season.”
Speaking earlier in the press conference, he said: “I had a conversation with the club and spoke to Graham about me having the autonomy to explore the job and be hands-on in the role because clubs are set-up in different ways now. They’ve trusted first-time managers in recent years and they’ve had success so I’ve looked at that.”
‘The fit is right’
Cattermole’s new chairman has backed the former Boro midfielder to succeed as he embarks on his managerial career on the south bank of the Tyne.
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Former Heed chairman Graham Wood returned to his role on an interim basis last week after Bernard McWilliams was forced to step down due to ill health and appointing a new manager was at the top of his agenda. After holding talks with a number of potential successors to former Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot, Wood described Cattermole as the ‘obvious candidate’ when his appointment was initially confirmed and he expanded on those comments by insisting the timing is right for the new Heed boss to step into the lead role in the dugout.
He said: “I’ve followed Lee’s career and I’m surprised he hasn’t been in management before now. I know he has turned two jobs down in management because the fit wasn’t right for him - so I am delighted the fit is right here. I was very aware of his career and the type of player he was. He’s also worked with some top managers in the game so he’s had a great apprenticeship so the timing is definitely right for him.”
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