Paul Hartley and Stephen Hobin have this week met in the Algarve to make final preparations for our Pre-Season Training Camp.
Paul and Stephen took the opportunity to meet up during their family holidays in Portugal to prepare for the Pools' visit to the Algarve on 27th June at the Colina Verde Resort, Moncarapacho.
The pair spent time being shown around the superb base, which earlier this week hosted a squad of England representatives, as the preparations for the new season step up pace.
They also spent the time getting to know each other on a more personal level and how they want to approach the campaign both on and off the field ahead of Paul’s official start on Monday 13th June.
Following the meeting Stephen Hobin, COO of Hartlepool United, told the club website: “With Paul and I both holidaying in the Algarve we wanted to meet up before our return at the weekend to bring each other up to speed on where we are at and although we have had regular phone contact this week, it was great to get time together outside of the office to get to know each other a little. As is often the case, it turns out we have quite a lot of mutual connections which is great and I can’t wait for us to get to work.
"The first thing that strikes you about Paul is how passionate he is and clearly a very driven successful manager, but also as you would expect from a former player at the highest level playing Champions League football, international football, he is a winner. He has extremely high standards which is great to see because standards off the field are improving by the day and we discussed a lot of changes for our surroundings at the Suit Direct Stadium, including facilities, player standards, staff standards, new routines and procedures to really raise the bar. If we are serious about where we want to be, we need to hit the highest levels we can and I know I have Paul’s 100 % support.
"On the the training camp I was delighted with the tour of the facilities which will enable us to get straight to work on day one of our arrival and I know Paul and Gordon and their back room team have an intense week lined up, with double and triple sessions planned and of course our fixture versus Hibernian on Wednesday 29th June at 11am.
"Like mine, Paul’s phone never stops ringing and I know he has been very busy this week in the transfer market working with Chris Trotter on his target list. I’m really looking forward to working with Paul and Gordon and wish them both all the best in their career at Hartlepool United “.
Paul Hartley, Hartlepool United manager went on to say: "It was great to finally meet up with Stephen and having had the chance to spent a few hours with him this morning it’s clear we share the same vision for the club."
"The training facilities were first class and I’m sure they will provide the perfect base for Gordon and I to work the players intensely for the week as we lay the foundations for a rigorous season ahead."