Hartlepool United have reportedly agreed a deal with former Sunderland and Middlesbrough midfielder Lee Cattermole to become their new manager.
The Pools were consigned to a fourth successive season in the National League as they ended the 2025/26 campaign in ninth, 13 points adrift of a play-off berth.
It was announced in the middle of April that Nicky Featherstone would be leaving his position as manager once the season concluded, despite only being appointed in December.
The former club captain oversaw 12 victories from his 31 matches but following a thorough review by the club's hierarchy, Hartlepool's American owner Landon Smith felt change was necessary to enhance their promotion prospects.
After several weeks of speculation, it appears Hartlepool have identified the individual they believe will take them in forward in Cattermole.
As reported by Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke, it's understood Cattermole has agreed to take on the Hartlepool post in what will be his first managerial role.
Cattermole, who started his playing career at Middlesbrough and moved to Wigan Athletic before a 10-year stay with Sunderland, had been linked with Hartlepool vacancy when Simon Grayson was sacked in October.
The 38-year-old ventured into coaching following an early retirement in 2020, taking his UEFA B and A Licence courses through the Irish Football Association. Accruing coaching experience with Middlesbrough and Burnley, he became head coach of Boro's Under-18s in January 2022.
Cattermole moved to Bristol Rovers in December 2024 as a first-team coach and set-piece specialist, but his time at the Memorial Stadium was extremely brief as Matt Taylor was sacked four days after his arrival and Cattermole departed prior to the appointment of Inigo Calderon.
The Hartlepool Mail revealed former Rotherham United head coach Matt Hamshaw was under consideration by the Hartlepool hierarchy before they opted to pursue Cattermole.
Hamshaw was dismissed by the Millers in March with the club loitering in the League One relegation zone and the South Yorkshire club ultimately dropped to League Two.
