Anthony Mancini’s stunning winner watched on by new Hartlepool United boss Kevin Phillips at Ebbsfleet United on Saturday afternoon.
It was a day full of surprises for the Pools, having Phillips confirmed on kick off, before Anthony Mancini’s wonder goal earned Hartlepool a rare and much needed win on the road.
The former Sunderland and West Brom striker Kevin Phillips was confirmed as Pools’ new manager just as the game was getting underway.
He will have been left encouraged at seeing his new side picking up their first away victory since November 2023.
Hartlepool went ahead on the 59th minute when David Ferguson sent Mancini on his way, and then hit one from 25-yards which went in off the crossbar.
The result means that Hartlepool sit 13th in the National League with 34 points from 29 games played, while Ebbsfleet are 21st with 27 points from 29 games.
👔 Welcome to Hartlepool United, Kevin Phillips.
Our new Head Coach will take charge from the dugout following Tuesday’s fixture.
— Hartlepool United FC (@Official_HUFC) January 20, 2024
🪄 Magical. pic.twitter.com/CZbC6X2scQ
— Hartlepool United FC (@Official_HUFC) January 20, 2024
CLUB STATEMENT:
Hartlepool United are delighted to announce that Kevin Phillips has been appointed as the Club’s new Head Coach.
With an illustrious playing career, Phillips made over 600 senior career appearances and won five promotions to the Premier League. He also represented England eight times.
Most notably, the forward scored 130 goals in 235 games during a six-year spell with Sunderland. He became the only Englishman to win the European Golden Shoe, and also won the Premier League Golden Boot and Player of the Year awards in 2000.
Phillips also enjoyed playing time with the likes of Watford, Southampton, West Brom, Birmingham City and Crystal Palace.
After hanging his boots up in 2014, Phillips moved onto the touchline with equal ambition for his coaching and managerial career. He held senior coaching positions at Leicester City, Derby County and Stoke City as he continued to gain experience in the top two flights of English football.
The 50-year-old was then named manager of South Shields in January 2022 and guided the Mariners to a play-off finish in the Northern Premier League Premier Division during his first campaign.
Last season, Phillips led South Shields to the Northern Premier League title with two games to spare. His win ratio during his time in charge of the club was an impressive 58%.
Philips will take charge of Pools in the capacity of Head Coach. He will be accompanied by full-time assistant roles in the highly experienced ex-Middlesbrough and Charlton manager Lennie Lawrence and current coach Antony Sweeney who retains vast knowledge of both National league and EFL.
Phillips has joined up with the squad and staff this weekend but will formally take charge of team from the dugout following Tuesday’s fixture against Kidderminster Harriers.
On the appointment, Chairman Raj Singh stated:
“I am delighted to have secured Kevin and would like to welcome him to Club. I wish him the best of luck in the role. Kevin comes with an incredible pedigree having played at the highest level of the game but also having transitioned into coaching and managerial roles with great success.
“His drive to be successful and hands on approach was evident in the process. Additionally, the combination and balance of skill sets between Kevin, Tony and Lennie was a key factor in the decision, with a focus to immediately impact a crucial block of games over the coming weeks and then push on to the end of the season.
“An extensive process has been conducted to profile and assess multiple candidates. It has taken longer than I’d have hoped largely due to the uncertainty that currently surrounds the Club, but I am very pleased to have finally secured Kevin with his credentials.”
Kevin Phillips commented on his appointment:
“I’m delighted to join Hartlepool United and I can’t thank the Chairman enough for the opportunity to take charge of this fantastic club.”
“I’m familiar with the North East having played and managed up here, so I know the area and the passion of the people from up here.”
“I’m excited about the challenge and can’t wait to get stuck in. We know what we need to do to get up that league table, we need results, and I want to provide some fresh ideas for us to achieve that.”
“The fans will be massive to us and I can’t wait to meet them at the Suit Direct Stadium.”
Twitter users reacted with the stunning winner watched on by new Hartlepool boss Kevin Phillips at Ebbsfleet…
ON THE APPOINTMENT:
@SE25CPFC12: Good luck legend, happy for you and better of there than with us 😂 Go smash it Kev ❤️💙 #CPFC
@dredge5316: Not many teams announce a new manager a minuet into a game
@dom_33: Interesting appointment, his South Shields team were brutal to watch mind
@BlythsGreenArmy: Firstly, awful appointment. Secondly, why the fuck would you announce this at kick off? 😳
@durhamchris1983: Good luck Super Kev
@PaulCon1996: Some agent he’s got
@AndrewW34408585: Good luck to this mackem legend
@SteTrotter: Welcome to Pools let’s see how the rest of the season turns out
ON THE GOAL:
@1908pools: Tie him down sharpish
@HUFC_Charlie: Only time a 3 year deal should be given out
@Benrobbo012: Give him a 15 year deal
@cstarmedia8: What a goal that is.
@lukeyoung2408_: Get this transfer window closed ASAP
@MattJGilb: I’ve never laughed out loud at a goal before. The most nonchalant long range goal I’ve ever seen. My French King.
@JackgHUFC: give him whatever he wants.
@adam_stead9: He’s fucking ridiculous man
@1908pools: Pure filth that
@tylergretton1: Get him on a long term contract ASAP!
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