Pete Wild has been named as the new head coach of Hartlepool United, taking charge just days before their key National League fixture against Tamworth. The appointment was confirmed on Thursday, with the 42-year-old replacing Lee Clark who stepped down last month after a home defeat to Worthing.
Wild saw off significant competition for the role after Hartlepool's hierarchy held talks with several candidates over the past week. He will lead his first training session on Friday morning alongside assistant Dave Conlon, with interim coaches Gary Liddle and Adam Clayton also involved. The new boss was unveiled at Victoria Park, where he will face Tamworth on Saturday in what he described as an exciting challenge.
"I’m really pleased and excited to be here and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead," Wild said. He also labelled Hartlepool United a "sleeping giant" that should not be in the National League, expressing a clear ambition to return the club to the Football League.
Wild's managerial journey
Wild brings extensive National League and EFL experience to his sixth managerial role. His career began in caretaker charge at Oldham Athletic, where he oversaw a memorable FA Cup victory over Premier League Fulham. He later moved to Halifax Town, leading them to the National League play-offs twice in three seasons before guiding Barrow to consecutive top-half finishes in League Two. A brief, difficult spell at Fleetwood Town ended in January, but he helped Tranmere Rovers secure their Football League status last season.
Setting up for Tamworth
The timing of the appointment sets up a key relegation battle this weekend. Tamworth travel to Victoria Park sitting 20th in the National League with 11 points from 11 games, their recent form reading two wins and three losses from their last five. Their last outing was a 2-0 home victory over Sutton United on Monday. Hartlepool, meanwhile, are 22nd and just two points behind Tamworth, making this a genuine six-pointer at the bottom of the table.
Wild believes the club's potential and the project behind the scenes attracted him to the role. "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 certainly attracted me," he explained.
With his backroom staff now confirmed, Wild's immediate focus is preparing a team that has lost six of its last seven league matches. For Tamworth, who have conceded 28 goals this season, the task is to exploit any potential disruption in their opponent's camp. The match kicks off at Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon, with both clubs desperate for points to climb away from danger.
More detail at Hartlepool Mail
