Pete Wild named as new Hartlepool United head coach

Former FC Halifax Town manager Pete Wild has set his focus on awaking a ‘sleeping giant’ after being named as new head coach of National League strugglers Hartlepool United.

The 42-year-old was officially confirmed as permanent successor to Lee Clark after the Victoria Park hierarchy held talks with a number of candidates over the last 10 days before opting to appoint Wild as the man tasked with helping them move on from a challenging start to the season.

As it stands ahead of Saturday’s home game with fellow strugglers Tamworth, Pools are sitting in the National League relegation zone and have lost eight of their last nine games after emerging pointless from their home game with Harrogate Town in midweek.

Despite the difficult situation he is stepping into, Wild is adamant he can ‘bring the good times back’ to the North East club as he prepares to take charge for the first time this weekend.

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‘There is so much to be excited about’

He told the club’s website: “I’m really pleased and excited to be here and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“Hartlepool United are a sleeping giant, and they should not be in the National League.

“During my youth, Hartlepool were always a well-established Football League club, and the challenge to get them back alongside what is going on behind the scenes with Landon (Smith) certainly attracted me to the role.

“There is so much to be excited about, and we hope we can help and bring the good times back to this football club.”

Wealth of experience

Wild has confirmed Dave Conlon as his assistant head coach and the duo will work alongside former interim management team Gary Liddle and Adam Clayton as they take charge of training on Friday morning.

The new Pools head coach will then step into the home dugout at Victoria Park for the first time as his new side look to claim a win against Tamworth that could lift them out of the National League relegation zone if results elsewhere fall in their favour.

Chris Maxwell, head of football operations at Bromby & Partners, who have overseen the recruitment process, is confident Wild can bring the best out of the Pools squad despite their current struggles and is excited by what he can achieve during his time in charge.

‘Clear candidate for the role’

He said: “I’m delighted Pete has joined, and I firmly believe he possesses all the qualities to galvanise this group and lead us forward.

“We have conducted a thorough and lengthy process, and Pete emerged as a clear candidate for the role.

“He brings a wealth of experience, attention to detail and a relentless drive to improve, making him the right fit for Hartlepool United both short and long-term.

“We have a good group of players in the building, and his job will be to bring the best out of them and take them to where we know they can get to.

“We’ve worked hard to bring in the right players, both for now and for the future, and Pete is the head coach to lead the team and get the very best out of the squad we have.

“I’m excited to work with Pete and Dave, and I look forward to what we can achieve together.”

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