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Lee Clark speaks for first time on decision to become new Hartlepool United head coach

Lee Clark speaks for the first time on decision to become new Hartlepool United head coach, after being kept in the dark by Rotherham United.

The 53 year old was in charge of 9 games for the relegated League One side (W1, D2, L6), and had been his first managerial role in 4 years, appointed until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Chris Beech has also linked up with Hartlepool, taking the head of recruitment role and Gary Liddle also continuing as part of the Club’s First Team coaching staff.

HARTLEPOOL STATEMENT:

Hartlepool United is pleased to confirm the appointment of Lee Clark as the Club’s new First Team Head Coach.

Former Pools captain Gary Liddle will remain part of the First Team coaching staff, while Chris Beech has been appointed Head of Recruitment. An additional assisting First Team coach will be announced in due course following the conclusion of current season commitments.

The appointments follow an extensive review of the Club’s football operations carried out by Bromby & Partners, who were appointed in March to support the development and transition of the football structure ahead of the 2026/27 season.

A highly experienced manager and former Premier League midfielder, Clark joins Hartlepool United with more than 15 years of managerial and coaching experience across the English Football League, Scottish Premiership, Middle East and Africa.

Clark made more than 500 senior appearances during a distinguished playing career with Newcastle United, Sunderland and Fulham across the Premier League and Championship, and captained Fulham during his time at Craven Cottage.

A UEFA Pro Licence holder, the Wallsend-born manager has previously led Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City, Blackpool and Kilmarnock, earning a reputation for high standards and strong leadership throughout his managerial career.

During his time at Huddersfield Town, Clark guided the Club to consecutive League One play-off campaigns and a Football League record 43-match unbeaten run.

Most recently, Clark returned to English football with Rotherham United following managerial spells overseas with Al-Merrikh and Al-Ittihad.

Lee Clark, First Team Head Coach at Hartlepool United said: “I’m incredibly proud to be given the opportunity to lead this Football Club. Hartlepool United is a club with a strong identity, passionate supporters and a real connection with its town.

“From my conversations with Chris Maxwell and the Chairman, it was clear there is a genuine determination throughout the Club to build something supporters can believe in again and that ambition was a huge part of why I wanted to be involved.

“My focus now is on building a team that reflects the energy, honesty and work ethic that people in this town expect to see every week.

“We want a team that competes with intensity, plays with purpose and understands the responsibility that comes with representing this Football Club. Standards are hugely important and we want players who demand the best from themselves and each other every day.

“Gary’s experience and understanding of the Football Club will be really important moving forward, while Chris Beech will play an important role in supporting the wider football strategy around the First Team.

“I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

Hartlepool ‘make late move’ for manager ‘left in the dark’ by relegated EFL club

Former Pools captain Gary Liddle will continue as part of the Club’s First Team coaching staff following his appointment as First Team Coach in February 2026.

One of the most respected figures of the modern era at Hartlepool United, Liddle made 364 appearances across three spells with the Club and played a key role in Pools’ promotion back to the Football League in 2021.

Since moving into senior coaching, Liddle has also been working with the Hartlepool United Academy, where he served as Lead Professional Development Phase Coach. He brings strong leadership, coaching experience and a deep understanding of the Football Club.

Chris Beech will lead the Club’s recruitment strategy, working closely with Clark, Bromby & Partners and the wider football department on player identification, squad planning and long-term development.

Beech brings extensive experience across the English Football League and National League, having previously managed Carlisle United before later serving as Director of Football at AFC Fylde, where he played a key role in the Club’s promotion to the National League.

Chris Maxwell, Head of Football Operations at Bromby & Partners said: “Our role was to support the Club through a full review of football operations and the recruitment processes that followed.

“Throughout that process, Lee Clark consistently impressed with his preparation, his attention to detail and his understanding of both the demands of the role and the environment at Pools.

“What stood out most was the clarity of his vision, the demands he places on players and staff and the way he wants his teams to represent the Football Club.

“Alongside his extensive managerial experience, he demonstrated a real hunger to build the culture and mentality needed to create a competitive environment at the Club.

“There was strong interest in Lee and it was important the Club moved decisively to secure a coach with his experience, leadership and belief in what Pools is trying to build. We believe this is an exciting appointment and one that fits the direction the Club wants to take.

“It was also important that the Club built the right support structure around him. Gary Liddle brings strong knowledge of both the Club and the level, while Chris Beech adds significant experience across recruitment and football operations at this level and above. An additional coach will also join the First Team staff and will be announced in due course.

“Collectively, we believe these appointments provide Pools with a strong football structure heading into the new season.”

Landon Smith, Owner & Chairman of Hartlepool United, said: “This is a crucial set of appointments for the Club and the result of an extensive piece of work that has been going on behind the scenes by Bromby & Partners.

“Leigh, Stuart and Chris from Bromby & Partners have led a full professional review of the football department and the subsequent processes culminating in these appointments.

“I’m delighted to now formally welcome Lee Clark, Chris Beech and Gary Liddle into their roles as we embark on this exciting new chapter.

“Lee Clark has extensive managerial and coaching experience at high levels in both English and Scottish football, together with a former playing background in the Premier League and a fundamental understanding of what football in the North East represents.

“Lee’s appointment, alongside Chris Beech and Gary Liddle, was identified as a critical balance of skill sets to help take the Club forward, with a further significant coaching appointment to be confirmed in due course.

“Bromby & Partners have already completed an extensive piece of preparatory work around playing philosophy and player recruitment, and with these appointments now confirmed, I’m looking forward to the next phase as we shape and build the squad ahead of the new season. The football department and summer recruitment task have my full backing.”

Rotherham issued a statement now that Lee Clark is confirmed at Hartlepool…

The club can confirm that former boss Lee Clark will not return to the Millers ahead of the 2026/27, season and would like to place our thanks on record to Lee.

After careful consideration, the club has decided to pursue different opportunities as we enter the summer off-season.

Lee joined the Millers back in March, following the departure of Matt Hamshaw, on a contract until the completion of the 2025/26 season. He played an important role in guiding the team through a difficult spell during the back end of the campaign. Looking towards the future, Lee also played a crucial role in providing key feedback to help form our 2025/26 retained list, as well as being a part of planning our pre-season schedule.

The club has already begun the process of identifying and appointing new first team management, with any information to be communicated at the earliest opportunity.

Rotherham United would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Lee and commend him for the level of commitment and professionalism he showed throughout a difficult time for the club as well as well as on a personal level, following a family bereavement during his tenure.

Our best wishes continue to former assistant manager Peter Leven for his hard work and efforts during his time at the club.

Everyone at Rotherham United would like to wish both Lee and Peter every success in their futures and wish Lee the best of luck in his new role at Hartlepool United.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Here’s how fans reacted as Lee Clark speaks for the first time on the decision to become new Hartlepool United head coach…

@__IrufcI__: Genuinely just give him a chance, he’s been at clubs in turmoil so his record isn’t the best but he’s as committed as anyone we’ve had. Speaks the truth, won’t take any shit and he actually played some decent stuff with us we were just too far gone. I back him to do well here.

@JWheelhouse_01:
New gaffer ✅
Lidds as part of the staff ✅
An article without mistakes and well written ✅
We are so BACK.

@MbwLdurham: Not my first choice and did expect a bit more of a wow appointment, but still could have been a lot worse with some of the names linked, good set up as well coming together, hopefully Lee can hit the ground running and bring us success, welcome to the club Lee

@GrahamCrompton1: Must have said too many home truths for the powers that be. A real shame for me . I guess we now go through the usual farce of working through the cv’s and getting sixth choice in in about two months 🤷‍♂️ #rufc

@Davidjrj123: It’s not a convincing appointment, it’s weird from Bromby and co, given this is a chance to set their stall out with their first appointment at pools and building momentum with all the BTS excitement. He needs to be backed heavily now to bring people back around. Good luck Lee.

@richyhpool: I will get behind him BUT I dont get it. Other than a handful of games at Rotherham his last meaningful job was Blyth Spartans in 2020. Its an odd choice

@BLewis2023: Wheyyy finally, welcome Clark not my first choice but I’m gonna back him. Now let’s get some players signed and out of this league

@tommy_white111: Interesting appointment. Nobody’s first choice for sure but Rotherham fans only have good things to say about him and he’s got vast amounts of experience at all levels of the game. It’s important we get behind him and trust Bromby & Partners have made the right decision.

@JWheelhouse_01: Time to get behind him and give him the tools he needs to get us back to the EFL.

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