Matthew Bates appointed as Hartlepool United manager

Hartlepool United have rewarded caretaker boss Matthew Bates by handing the 31-year-old the managerial job on a permanent basis.
Bates successfully guided the club away from relegation danger in the National League after taking over from Craig Harrison in February.
Ged McNamee has been named as First Team Coach and Ross Turnbull is the new Goalkeeper Coach after the pair worked alongside Bates free of charge during the upturn in form over the last two months.
The Pools were languishing in 19th place in the table when Bates took over and were just three points above the drop zone.
After securing their National League status the previous week, Hartlepool finished the season with a hugely impressive 2-1 victory at promotion chasers Tranmere Rovers on Saturday to end up in 15th-position.
Bates will lead the club into an exciting new era following last month’s takeover led by local businessman Raj Singh.
“I feel privileged to be named as Manager, this is a great opportunity,” said Bates.
“As a young manager wanting to get on that ladder I don’t think there is a better environment than there is here at The Vic right now.
“The new owners have come in and it’s a fresh start for everyone; it’s a big club so I am over the moon really and I can’t wait to get the hard work started.”
New chairman Raj Singh said: “I’m really pleased with the appointment.
“Matthew has done really well and didn’t really give us that much of a choice.
“We interviewed three or four good quality candidates but I think Matthew’s results speak for themselves so in the end we went with him.
“His points tally and win rate was really good and with the other two guys behind him we feel like we have the right management team in place to move us forward.”
Director of Football Craig Hignett added: “We’re delighted. At the end of the season things had really turned round and the staff worked really well together.
“Ged and Ross have been a big part of what has happened at the Club so we’re pleased to get them two secured as well as to have Matthew signed up as Manager.
“It’s great to get them in early because that gives us a bit of a head start because now we can start planning for the players and the direction we’re going to go next season.”
 
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