Hartlepool United look poised to make a move for ex-Rotherham United manager Lee Clark as they continue to rebuild towards an EFL return.
The North East club can finally look up after their takeover by American Landon Smith at the turn of 2026, and are already looking towards improving on a ninth-placed finish next season.
Millers’ Failure Is Pools’ Gain
With no permanent manager in place at Victoria Park, Hartlepool have now set their sights on Lee Clark as their next boss, usurping previous front-runner Lee Cattermole.
According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Clark has been approached with a late move by Hartlepool, who is facing an uncertain future following his exit from Rotherham United at the end of the season.
The North East native had taken over at the New York Stadium as a caretaker manager in the wake of Matt Hamshaw’s sacking in March, and was unable to guide the Millers away from the League One relegation zone.
Clark has previously been open about his desire to continue on in South Yorkshire next season, but with club chairman Tony Stewart taking a two-week break away from all footballing duties, the 53-year-old has been left in limbo as to whether he will be handed the job on a permanent basis.
Reports over the weekend had stated that former Sunderland midfielder Cattermole was on the verge of his first head coaching role, with TalkSPORT reporting that he was finalising his coaching staff ahead of succeeding Nicky Featherstone.
Clark Should Take Chance
The decision of Rotherham United chairman Tony Stewart to go on a break for two weeks could cost them the best candidate for their managerial job, and only speaks volumes to the inefficent running of the club.
Lee Clark has been quite frank and honest about the issues plaguing Rotherham across his tenure, and has highlighted that he wants to get to work immediately to try and rectify those issues ahead of a season in League Two.
However, Stewart’s temporary departure has forced Clark into returning home, and with another week until the Millers’ chair returns, Hartlepool United have looked to capitalise on their indecision.
Being a local club to the 53-year-old and showing some ambition under their new owners, Pools are on the way up and having an experienced leader at the helm should be able to push them to new heights ahead of a season where the National League has been deemed to be quite weak.
Whether he can whip the club and his players into shape enough to challenge for a promotion in his first year remains to be seen, but for a long-term project, Lee Clark should certainly opt to stick closer to home rather than return to the chaos of Rotherham.
