The search for a successor to Graeme Lee is beginning to hot up. Three candidates are currently leading the way to become the new Hartlepool United manager. Pools announced prior to the final game of the season that they were parting ways with Lee following a poor run of form which saw just one win in 11 games. The former Middlesbrough Academy head coach, however, did lead the team to League Two safety in their first season back in the Football League, plus the fourth round of the FA Cup and the semi-finals of the Football League Trophy.
Here is a look at the three candidates currently top of the list to become the new Hartlepool United manager.
Hartlepool United Manager Search: Three Candidates Currently Top the List
Simon Grayson
Former Sunderland and Leeds United manager Simon Grayson is the most experienced manager of the three and is under consideration, according to the Northern Echo. Grayson was recently sacked as manager of Fleetwood Town but has accumulated over 700 games in charge of clubs in the Football League.
Grayson has overseen promotions with Blackpool, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town and Preston North End, all from League One. However, since leaving Preston in 2017, Grayson has struggled to stay in a job for a long period of time. At Sunderland, he was sacked after four months and has since had short spells at Bradford City, Blackpool, and Fleetwood.
Mike Williamson
The Hartlepool Mail are reporting that current Gateshead manager Mike Williamson is being considered. The former Newcastle United defender took charge of Gateshead in 2019 and has steered the club back to the non-league’s top tier, having clinched the National League North title this season.
Williamson led Gateshead to the title with an impressive 94 points, seven in front of their nearest challengers. Williamson’s success at Gateshead has not gone unnoticed, especially with the small budget he has to work with; however, he has yet to manage in the Football League or the National League. Gateshead are also believed to be determined to keep their current manager.
Andy Woodman
The Hartlepool Mail are also reporting that Bromley manager Andy Woodman is once again in the frame to become their new boss. Woodman was in contention prior to Graeme Lee taking over in November and is once again one of the favourites.
Former Crystal Palace goalkeeper and Arsenal goalkeeping coach Woodman was appointed Bromley manager in March 2021. He guided the club to the playoffs on the final day of the season but failed to win promotion. This season, Woodman led the club to a 10th place finish.
Chairman Speaks About Hartlepool United Manager Search
Pools chairman Raj Singh recently spoke about the search for a new manager, he said: “It is all about opinion and all about debates, and the hard bit is for me. We will talk about it among ourselves and interview as many people as we can so it is a good process, then make a decision.
“A lot of people have applied for the job, as expected. We are just working through the applications. It is just a case of seeing the interested parties that have applied and going from there. Whichever manager we go for, we are not going to satisfy everybody.”
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