Leicester City legend ‘excited’ after landing new job in English football, he will want to improve record.

Simon Grayson, a former Leicester City defender and Leeds United manager, has taken on a new position in English football for the next season.

Following his lengthy playing career, Simon Grayson’s managing career has been equally extensive, with different degrees of success. Grayson has coached English football giants such as Leeds United and Sunderland, as well as Huddersfield Town and Preston North End, since retiring after a 433-game playing career. Grayson has returned to English football after three years and two clubs in Nepal, although his record as an EFL manager has been marred by recent periods in EFL dugouts.

Simon Grayson lands new role as Hartlepool United manager

Grayson helped Leicester achieve promotion through the play-offs twice, in 1993/94 and 1995/96, and then led the Foxes to a League Cup victory over Middlesbrough in 1997. Grayson retired after making over 430 appearances and stepped into management with Blackpool, where he led the club to Championship promotion with a 2-0 win over Yeovil Town in the play-off final. He would then play for Huddersfield, Preston, and Sunderland before returning to the EFL for short stints. Following his dismissal at Fleetwood Town, Grayson unexpectedly moved to the Nepal Super League in 2022, where he led Lalitpur City to successive league titles.

The former Foxes veteran has now been appointed by National League club Hartlepool United, marking his return to English football management after a four-year hiatus. Grayson addressed Hartlepool’s reporters following his appointment: “I’m overjoyed to be joining Hartlepool United FC. “The club has recently gone through some difficult times, but by working hard together as a staff and fanbase, we can restore the good times that this football club deserves.” “Hartlepool is a club with enormous potential, and I’m enthusiastic about what we can do here. I can’t wait to get started!”

His record of managing some of the country’s best clubs and winning promotions is impressive, but his dismal spell at Sunderland has tarnished his reputation in English football.

Simon Grayson’s stint at Sunderland tainted his EFL reputation

Grayson’s reputation as a manager in English football was good before to his appointment as Sunderland’s head coach in 2017. He has led promotions to the second tier at Leeds, Huddersfield, and Preston. However, Grayson’s time in charge of the Black Cats will be remembered as a disaster, since he lasted only 18 games at the Stadium of Light.

Statistic	League One	Championship
Games	351	278
Wins	157	90
Draws	102	94
Losses	92	94

Sunderland were supposed to storm to the second tier summit in the 2017/18 Championship after being relegated from the Premier League, but Grayson lasted only four months in charge of the Black Cats, winning only one league game. After sacking Grayson in 2017, then-Sunderland manager Martin Bain stated: “While we hoped that Simon’s experience in the Football League would help us to a successful season, results have not been good enough for a club of this stature.” Grayson’s post-Sunderland EFL appearances at Bradford, Blackpool, and Fleetwood all lasted less than a year.

Grayson will want to turn the tide on that record, and replenish his reputation in English football, by guiding Hartlepool United back up the divisions.

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