Sunderland’s academy coach or a former York boss: Five potential managers Hartlepool could appoint

From Sunderland’s current Under-21 coach to a former York City manager…who will Hartlepool appoint to replace Nicky Featherstone this summer?

Hartlepool United announced that club legend Featherstone would be stepping down as manager at the end of the season, with the former midfielder becoming interim manager in October 2025 after the sacking of Simon Grayson and landing the job permanently in December after a seven-game unbeaten run in the league.  

Here are five potential managers the club may 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. 

The former Walsall, Port Vale, Cheltenham, Barnsley and Bristol Rovers manager was sacked by Barnsley in March 2025, before his return to Bristol Rovers failed to have the ending he would have been hoping for, being sacked after losing 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 sixth-placed finish and won the FA Trophy, before leaving for then-League One club Crawley Town.

After being sacked by Crawley in March 2025, he re-joined the Heed this season, keeping the club in the National League despite being 11 points adrift.

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. 

After retiring from playing in 2010, Murty went onto coach within Southampton and Norwich’s youth set-ups, before becoming Rangers’ development squad’s head coach in 2016.

He had a spell as Rangers’ manager in the second half of the 2017-18 season, before ultimately joining Sunderland in 2022.

This season, Sunderland’s Under-21 Lead Coach has secured the Black Cats’ place in the Premier League 2 Play-Offs and Premier League Cup final.

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. 

Hinshelwood managed over 360 games for Worthing, winning the Isthmian Premier Division Title and Sussex Senior cup, before joining York in 2024, 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. 

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. 

The current-AFC Fylde boss 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, before joining AFC Fylde last summer. 

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.