Ex-Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder Lee Cattermole contender for Hartlepool United job with decision imminent
Ex-Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder contender for Hartlepool United job.
Ex-Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder Lee Cattermole is a contender for the vacant Hartlepool United manager’s job.
The former Sunderland skipper, who spent 10 years at the Stadium of Light, has been strongly linked with the manager's job at The Vic the last two times it has been available and is now considered a strong contender to replace Nicky Featherstone.
Featherstone’s spell in charge ended with the 3-1 defeat to Boston United as the National League season came to a close, though his own future at the club - and that of No2 Gary Liddle - remain up in the air amid ongoing talks around other roles.
Over the past 48-hours Cattermole’s name has gathered momentum and there are now widespread reports he is a leading contender for the role. Cattermole has no managerial experience but has previously worked as Under-18s lead coach at Middlesbrough and a short spell as first team coach at Bristol Rovers.
The 38-year-old has been keen to move into management for some time and while at Boro, he was part of a four-man interim management team between the managerial spells of Chris Wilder and Michael Carrick.
The Mail understands Matt Hamshaw, the former Sheffield Wednesday and Mansfield Town winger, was previously in contention however it now seems Cattermole is the leading contender.
Hamshaw is out of work following his departure from Rotherham United last month and is a former Owls team-mate of Leigh Bromby, a director at Bromby and Partners. Hamshaw held coaching roles with Derby County and the Millers during his career before he was appointed as interim manager of the latter in March 2025. That role became a permanent one just one month later as he guided the club to a mid-table finish in League One on the back of consecutive wins against Northampton Town, Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers. However, the current season has been one of struggle and the newly-relegated Millers opted to part company with Hamshaw last month as they looked to preserve their third tier status.
At Pools, there is a major summer of change underway, with football advisory firm Bromby and Partners overseeing 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 and bring an end to Featherstone’s time in charge. 13 players were released this week with lots of work to be done on the squad.
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What has Nicky Featherstone said about his Hartlepool United exit?
Posting on his LinkedIn account, Featherstone posted: “Having had just over a week to reflect on what has been another season of many changes at Hartlepool United Football Club starting in a player/coach role and ending up leading the team for 32 national league games.
“The overriding feeling is pride and satisfaction. The best placed finish (9th) & highest points tally (68) in the last 19 seasons (apart from the promotion season 20/21) shows the progress made in such a short period of time. 68 points being enough to make the play offs last season.
“All after taking on a squad struggling with confidence and coping with set backs. Having to adapt and change my style of play to put the club first and get the best out of that group of players. Dealing with a change of ownership along with other changes on and off the field. Incredibly grateful for the help and support from the staff I had around me!
“It’s been some 6 months and an experience that will stand me in good stead moving forward. Lots of good things to take and many things to improve on still.”
Featherstone finished his post by adding his stats during his time in charge: 32 National League games. 44% win ratio. 1.56 points per game averaged.
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