Lee Clark 'ticks a lot of boxes' for Hartlepool United - says Pools legend Micky Barron

Hartlepool United legend Micky Barron believes new manager Lee Clark ‘ticked a lot of boxes’ for his old club after he was named as successor to Nicky Featherstone at the Prestige Group Stadium.

Former Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder Lee Cattermole appeared to be in line to replace Featherstone before Pools opted to make a late move for Clark after his short-term deal at League Two newcomers Rotherham United came to an end. The former Newcastle United star brings EFL managerial experience after spending time with the likes of Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City earlier in his career and he also enjoyed a promising spell with Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock.

Clark made surprise moves to Sudanese club Al-Merrikh and Omani side Al-Ittihad over the last five years but spent the final weeks of last season in charge of Rotherham. The 53-year-old was expected to be handed a chance to remain with the Millers but he will start next season in charge of Pools after agreeing a deal with chairman Landon Smith earlier this month.

Barron believes Clark’s short spell with Rotherham has reignited his love of management and gave an insight into the role the new Pools boss will take as his reign gets underway.

He told The Mail: “It took me by surprise to be honest because I thought Catts (Cattermole) was going to get it - and then you hear rumours about Lee coming in. He’s had success at some big clubs a few years ago so he’s got experience as a manager and I think that’s key. Having that experience after being there and doing it before, that can only help him. I think the spell he had at Rotherham has given him some love back for being a manager and I think that is what he will be. I think he will let someone else do the coaching and who that is is yet to be decided. I know Gary Liddle is still there but I think he will bring another experienced head in to allow Lee to manage the group. He ticks a lot of the boxes for what the people at Hartlepool wanted.”

Demands

The news of Clark’s appointment coincided with Chris Beech’s return to Pools after he was named as the club’s new head of recruitment. The duo will face a busy summer in the transfer market as they look to produce a squad capable of challenging for promotion back into the EFL next season and Barron believes Beech’s experience of life in the National League will be ‘massive’ over the coming weeks and months.

“Beechy is there and he’s got experience of being a manager at this level and at recruitment at that level,” explained the former Pools stalwart. “That’s going to be massive because understanding the demands of the league will be very important for how things move forwards. It’s a tough league, it’s so hard and you have to understand it’s non-stop. Beechy and Gary Liddle, who has played and coached at this level, will be a huge help for Lee.”

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