Hartlepool United announced the resignation of manager Lee Clark, shortly after Saturday’s defeat to Worthing, but who could they target next?
The Pools have lost eight of their previous nine matches across all competitions, finding themselves just a point above the relegation zone thus far.
This is much to the surprise of National League supporters, given Hartlepool’s successful summer landing the likes of Chris Popov (Leicester City), Jack Nolan (Morecambe) and most noticeably Will Harris (Halifax Town).
However, despite conceding just 11 goals in nine league games – they’ve lost six times and are the second-lowest scorers in the division with just seven goals – further leading to Clark’s resignation.
With the club back in the market for another manager – here are four names they should consider…
What sort of profile should Hartlepool be searching for?
As supporters will point out, the work of recruiting a new manager is become all too familiar with the Hartlepool United board, turning the role into more of a revolving door.
Since Ronnie Moore’s 2016 exit, Hartlepool have had 16 different managers in the last decade – with Clark being the sixth since 2024.
The club has hired mostly older-experienced names such as Simon Grayson and Keith Curle – but one of their more successful stints was former player Nicky Featherstone, who saw out the majority of the 2025/26 season.
Though the club missed out on the play-off places, Featherstone picked up key wins against the likes of Rochdale, Carlisle United and Southend United on route to a ninth-placed finish – their highest in five years.
The Pools need someone that either knows the club/area well or has proven success in getting teams out of the National League itself.
Stuart Maynard:
As mentioned, Hartlepool should look for a manager who has ‘been there and done it’ at National League level – and the most recent example is former York City manager Stuart Maynard.
Maynard came in last summer following Adam Hinshelwood’s dismissal, and masterminded the club to the National League title via a dramatic final day result against Rochdale.
However, the 45-year-old was shockingly sacked by the club just weeks before their League Two season began and now finds himself out of work.
Hartlepool had a busy summer with plenty of high-quality footballers joining the club, suggesting a huge amount of ambition from the board. If they are serious about promotion this season, Maynard is the standout name on the market.
Pete Wild:
Though he didn’t get a side promoted from the National League, someone that was very successful within it was former Halifax Town manager Pete Wild.
The 42-year-old is currently out of work after his exit from League Two side Tranmere Rovers and has spent the last four years in the EFL with themselves, Barrow and Fleetwood Town.
However, it was Wild’s successful stint at Halifax Town which is his biggest joy thus far, winning almost half of all 127 matches that he took control of, as well as guiding his side to play-off campaigns.
Wild has been appeared on local radio for his former side Barrow, suggesting that he has good knowledge of this season’s National League and would be a cheap but positive hire from the board.
Kevin Maher:
Though he started an assistant-role with League One side AFC Wimbledon earlier this summer, a move to a first team managerial role in the National League could be a tempting one for Kevin Maher.
The 49-year-old left Southend United earlier this summer after his contract came to an end, with his final match in charge being a triumph at Wembley Stadium in the FA Trophy.
Maher took control of Southend during an extremely difficult time with no money and embargoes, Â but managed to guide the club to a play-off final, FA Trophy success and almost secured a rise from minus points to the top seven in the campaign prior.
Throughout his career as both a player and manager, Maher has won his fair share of trophies and likely has that repeated desire to win titles, something that could be a huge motivator in a low-confidence dressing room such as Hartlepool’s.
Luke Williams:
Take this one with a pinch of salt in comparison to the other three, mainly due to his recent spells in both the Championship and League One and his pay-off after his Peterborough United exit – but this would certainly be a statement, even if it is unlikely.
The 45-year-old began his career in youth management with Brighton Hove Albion’s U23s, before a two-year stint with Swindon before having five years out of the game.
However, he’s added to this list because of his success with Notts County, managing to guide them to promotion via the play-off places back in the 2022/23 campaign. He’s since enjoyed stints with Swansea City and Peterborough but was dismissed last weekend.
Though this appointment is certainly unlikely, if he has immediate desire to get another role and end the season with a chance at winning trophies, the Hartlepool project could be a tempting one.
