Hartlepool United are reportedly closing in on the appointment of their newest first-team manager, less than two weeks after Nicky Featherstone’s reign came to an end.
The Pools finished ninth in the National League last season and are now under new ownership, as the football club continue their plans to try and return to the EFL for the first time since their relegation in 2023.
Featherstone’s short-term stint has now ended, whilst the club have already accelerated plans for next season with the announcement of their retained list, which saw some big names leaving the Pools once their deals officially expire next month.
Hartlepool closing in on managerial hire
It’s no secret that Hartlepool have undergone their fair share of managers under the previous ownership.
Since Dave Challinor’s exit in the winter of 2021, Hartlepool have had 11 different managers leading the team – with two of those having two or more stints as caretaker managers. This works out at roughly two managers a year.
Therefore, there can be little surprise that Hartlepool have struggled to return to the EFL of late, with constant changes in personnel across the board, but fans are likely to be anticipating a fresh perspective under the new owner.
This starts with the appointment of a new manager, and it appears as though Hartlepool fans won’t need to wait too much longer to find that out.
As reported by journalist Pete O’Rourke, former Sunderland captain Lee Cattermole has agreed a deal to become Hartlepool’s new manager ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The 38-year-old has never had a managerial role before, but has had coaching roles at Middlesbrough and Bristol Rovers.
Can he deliver where other Hartlepool managers haven’t?
Next season will be Hartlepool’s fourth straight season in the National League, but each of those has shown progress.
In their returning season, they finished 12th, before overseeing an 11th and 9th-placed finish in the previous two campaigns – continuing to flirt with the play-off places but not quite having enough to get over the line.
Hartlepool have also confirmed their retained list, with several big characters including captain Tom Parkes, striker Alex Reid and experienced forward Adam Campbell amongst those leaving this summer.
Cattermole is significantly inexperienced at managerial level, though former teammate Jermain Defoe has already proven that it isn’t essential to succeed at National League level, with his Woking side ending the season as one of the form teams.
The 38-year-old will have the entirety of pre-season to piece together his side, signing new players and getting his tactical approach installed throughout the club.
In truth, Cattermole will need time to adjust and build his team – with fans unlikely to fairly judge him until the turn of the year at the earliest.
Hartlepool have also undergone so much change in the dugout, and on this occasion, it may be worth sticking with Cattermole and allowing him the chance to try and save a bad run (if it occurs) rather than offloading him and repeating the entire process again.
However, his experience of playing in the Premier League could bring a unique approach to the club – giving staff, fans and players a new way of thinking during the early stages of the season.
