Hartlepool United are delighted to confirm the Club’s new management team with immediate effect.
Lennie Lawrence will continue as Pools manager until the end of the season, building on his most recent unbeaten caretaker run. With over 1000 games under his belt, Lawrence holds an incredible amount of experience in the game having managed the likes of Charlton, Middlesbrough and Cardiff as well holding consultancy and coach mentor positions at the highest levels.
Anthony Limbrick joins the Club as our new Head Coach, leaving his current coaching role at League One Peterborough United. Australian born, Limbrick has extensive experience with both academy player development and first team environments. He formerly managed and worked with Woking in the national league as well Grimsby Town in the Football League and he won the Cymru Premier and Welsh Cup in 2022 with The New Saints.
Gavin Skelton also joins the Club as first-team coach, having spent the last five years as assistant manager at Carlisle United. He played a critical role in helping the Cumbrians gain promotion into League One through the play-offs in 2023 beating Stockport County. A former player with over 450 personal playing appearances to his name, Skelton has also managed Workington and Queen of the South earlier in his career.
Pools stalwart Nicky Featherstone will continue with his dual role as both first-team player and supplementary coaching/player leadership duties.
The management team will continue to be supported by goalkeeping coach Adam Smith, Carl Dickinson whose expertise is in strength & conditioning, first-team analyst Ben Daniel and Chief Scout Ronnie Moore.
Hartlepool United Board spokesperson commented:
“We are really pleased to confirm our new management team following an extensive review and process.
“Lennie has an incredible track record in management as well as with his mentorship roles of coaches and managers. He’s also proven on multiple caretaker occasions at Hartlepool United his ability and desire to step up and hold the manager position, which has been evident in his recent results and a reformed style of play.
“As Board we were keen to see the trajectory and senior stewardship under Lennie continue, and with Anthony and Gavin we have also secured two outstanding pro licence technical coaches who are highly regarded within the game. We believe their complementary attributes and desire to step up in due course will fit well with Lennie, to give the Club both the best opportunity in the immediate short term this season whilst also planning longer term.
“Additionally we are looking longer term with the likes of Nicky Featherstone and supporting his development beyond playing career, and the full complement of first team support staff including medical, strength & conditioning, scouting and analysis will also remain at the management teams’ disposal.”
Manager Lennie Lawrence added:
“It’s been a very thorough and professional process that the Board has conducted, and it’s a decision we’re very excited about. A lot went into it and one of the priorities was a long-term plan, and the idea is to offer my experience where possible to develop the rest of the team. We now have a lot of depth within our coaching staff and each member holds different qualities which we’ll be able to lean on during the course of the season.”
