Lee Clark stepped down from his role as Hartlepool United head coach following Saturday’s home defeat against National League rivals Worthing.
Hartlepool United are working to appoint a new head coach following Lee Clark’s decision to step down just minutes after Saturday’s disappointing home defeat against National League rivals Worthing.
The former Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder was appointed as Pools boss during the summer and there were high hopes an upturn in fortunes was just around the corner following a major overhaul of the squad he inherited. Those hopes were further raised during the first week of the season as Clark’s new-look side followed up a 2-0 home win against Barrow with a battling win at Aldershot Town just seven days later.
However, a run of five defeats in their following six games ramped up the pressure on Clark ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s meeting with National League newcomers Worthing – and a further loss against the Rebels proved to be the final straw as Clark confirmed his decision to step down in a short post-match press conference just minutes after the defeat.
So what comes next and who could be the next man appointed to take charge of Pools as they look to resurrect their fortunes following a disappointing opening six weeks to a campaign that promised so much
Dave Challinor
The dream appointment for many Poolies – but one that is will surely remain a dream. Challinor is still held in understandably high esteem by his fans of his former club – and his comments in recent weeks during a stint sitting alongside Rob Law on co-commentary duties for BBC Tees Sport’s coverage of the club shows that feeling is clearly mutual. However, with managerial vacancies arising further up the English football pyramid, it seems certain Challinor will come under consideration and a romantic return to the club he guided back into the EFL will likely remain out of reach.
Pete Wild
The former FC Halifax Town boss remains out of work after leaving Tranmere Rovers following a short stint as interim manager of the League Two club during the final months of last season. The 42-year-old forged a strong reputation for himself during his time at The Shay by winning 65 of his 139 games in charge and guided the Shaymen into the second round of the FA Cup during the 2021/22 season. After leaving to take charge of Barrow at the end of the same campaign, Wild led the Bluebirds to ninth place in the League Two table and that was followed by an eighth placed finish during the following season. Wild had a short break from the dugout after leaving Barrow during the summer of 2024 before overseeing two mid-table finishes during an 18-month stint in charge of Fleetwood Town before he was sacked in January this year. Still out of work and with National League experienced, Wild could be an intriguing option.
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