Five potential managers Hartlepool United could appoint this Summer
Hartlepool United have announced that club legend Nicky Featherstone will be stepping down as manager at the end of the season.
The former midfielder became interim manager in October 2025 after the sacking of Simon Grayson and landed the job permanently on 5 December after a seven-game unbeaten run in the league.
Since then, the clubs been in a period of transition with controversial owner Raj Singh selling the club to Landon Smith at the end of 2025 who has opted for a change in direction following advice from consultancy company Bromby and Partners.
Here are five potential managers the club could target as they prepare for a new era.
Darrell Clarke
The early name doing the rounds is former Pools player Darrell Clarke.
The former midfielder enjoyed a six year stay in the North East after joining from Mansfield in 2001 and has been linked with the job numerous times in the past.
Clarke started his managerial career at Salisbury City and guided them from the Southern Premier League Premier Division to the National League within three seasons.
This led to Clarke being picked up by then League Two club, Bristol Rovers, originally as assistant, but would later become manager.
During his spell the club fell out of the Football League but quickly bounced back with back-to-back promotions.
He has since had spells at Walsall, Port Vale (including a promotion from League Two), Cheltenham, Barnsley and another spell at Bristol Rovers.
Whilst Clarke seems to be the fans choice at the minute due to his numerous promotions, connection to the club and exciting style of play, the slight worry is his last two jobs have been particularly unsuccessful.
Clarke was sacked by Barnsley in March 2025 after a poor run of form and his return to Bristol Rovers didn’t have the happy ending he was hoping for, after he was sacked with the side in the relegation zone and having lost their last ten.
A drop down to the National League may however be what he needs to bring his managerial career back to life.
Rob Elliot
Current Gateshead manager Rob Elliot is another name the Pools faithful have been calling for.
The former Newcastle goalkeeper joined Gateshead as Technical Director in August 2022 before being announced as caretaker manager following the departure of Mike Williamson to MK Dons in October 2023.
Elliot led Gateshead to a 6th placed finish, but Gateshead weren’t allowed to compete in the play-offs due to not being able to secure a long-term tenure for their ground.
They did however win the FA Trophy at the end of the season to some consolation.
This led to Elliot being made permanent manager in June 2024 before leaving for then League One club Crawley Town.
Elliot was sacked in March 2025 before rejoining Gateshead this season and keeping the club in the National League despite being 11 points adrift when he returned.
Whilst appointing Elliot would prove popular due to his possession-based football and reputation as one of the best managers in the league, the club would need to pay a compensation package to secure his services and may find it hard to persuade him to leave a club he has a great affinity with.
Graeme Murty
Another manager who has previously been linked to the job and could prove to be successful is Graeme Murty.
Murty is currently in charge of Sunderland U21’s where he has secured their spot in the Premier League 2 Division 1 elimination playoffs.
Murty retired from playing in 2010 and went onto coach at Southampton and Norwich’s youth teams before joining Rangers as head coach for the development squad in 2016.
On 22 December 2017, Murty was named as manager of the first team until the end of the season following the sacking of Pedro Caixinha.
He returned to coaching the under-20's in May 2018 before joining Sunderland in 2022.
Murty is a different profile from the names on this list, with his background being primarily in youth coaching which is focused more on player development rather than results.
His proven track record of developing young players however, such as Chris Rigg and Tommy Watson, could prove invaluable to Pools and their new recruitment model.
Adam Hinshelwood
Current Worthing and former York boss Adam Hinshelwood is another who could be a shrewd appointment for the club.
The 42-year-old had spells at Selsey and Worthing after retiring from playing before joining the coaching set-up at Brighton in 2015.
He returned to Worthing in 2017, managing over 360 games for the club, winning the Isthmian Premier Division Title and Sussex Senior cup.
In 2024 he joined York, helping them avoid relegation in the 23/24 season and instilling an exciting brand of football.
Last season, his York team amassed 96 points and finished 2nd before losing 3-0 to Oldham in the play off semi-final.
After one win and three draws at the start of the 25/26 season, Hinshelwood was surprisingly sacked by York and returned to Worthing who currently sit top of the National League South.
Hinshelwood would bring to Pools a proven track record of entertaining football and has managed a lot of games for a young manager, like Dave Challinor when he arrived at Pools, he could also prove hard to persuade to join the club.
Pools would be required to pay a compensation package to allow him to join the club, and whether he’d be willing to relocate from his native South East after being shown the door at York only 18 months into a long-term contract remains to be seen.
Craig Mahon
Another ambitious appointment but one which could come to fruition due to Hartlepool’s new ownership is Craig Mahon.
Mahon currently manages AFC Fylde where he is involved in an enthralling title race with South Shields.
Mahon became interim manager at Curzon Ashton in September 2023, combining the role with his playing duties.
Following a successful spell which saw the club win 15 of his 29 games in charge, Mahon was offered the job on a permanent basis in February 2024.
Following 7th and 8th places finishes in his time in charge, his work caught the attention of AFC Fylde last Summer in their attempt to return to the National League at the first time of asking.
Mahon has quickly gained the reputation as one of the best young coaches outside the Football League and could be tempted by the Pools job this Summer, especially if Fylde don’t get promoted.
With AFC Fylde’s Director of Football Stewart Mairs recently joining managerless Walsall in League Two however, he could prove to be a target for them.