Hartlepool United’s National League rivals Gateshead confirm appointment of new manager.
Alun Armstrong, Gateshead’s new manager, says he wants to restore the club’s “identity” after taking over.
Hartlepool United news includes headlines, team updates, match previews, and reports. Hartlepool United’s National League rivals have been looking for a new manager since the resignation of former Pools captain Carl Magnay, who has since been appointed assistant manager at National League North club South Shields, at the start of the month. The Heed, who experienced a highly trying season last term that saw a takeover led by former Sunderland striker Victor Anichebecollapse in dramatic fashion before missing out on the play-offs on the last day of the campaign, have now concluded their search, appointing former Blyth Spartans and Darlington boss Alun Armstrong as Magnay’s successor.
Armstrong took charge of Blyth in 2016, leading them to the Northern Premier League Premier Division title in his first season at the helm. Having established themselves in the National League North, Spartans reached the play-offs in 2019, losing out in the quarter-finals. Armstrong was appointed manager of fellow National League North side Darlington in May 2019, leading the Quakers to the second round of the FA Cup thanks to a memorable 2-1 win over Football League Swindon in the 2020/21 campaign as well as to the fringes of the play-offs. He was sacked in September 2023 after a poor start to the new season that saw Darlington bottom of the National League North table.
Armstrong has been part of Gateshead’s coaching staff since last year, when he assumed command of the Heed’s under-19 team. The new boss faces a busy summer, with captain Greg Olley and long-serving defender Robbie Tinkler already leaving the club, and Regan Booty, Luke Hannant, and Kenton Richardson all connected with departures. Crucially, Armstrong, whose hiring elicited mixed emotions from Gateshead fans, will have to work hard to mend the schism that has built between supporters and the club’s ownership after a difficult couple of years that culminated in last season’s takeover catastrophe. “I see it as a challenge, which I’m very excited about,” Armstrong told Gateshead’s official club website.”I want to bring some of the identity back to this club that I think it used to have. First and foremost, I want lads to work extremely hard for the team and that’s the biggest thing, but on top of that we want to be exciting and scoring goals.
“At the end of the day, people pay to see goals; it’s an entertainment business, and we want to see the ball in the back of the net as often as possible. “I know it’s going to be a tough one, but no stone will be left for me to try and get this battle done and hopefully get to where we want to be.” Your next Hartlepool United read: Pools defender secures National League North switch.
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