Sunderland striking legend Kevin Phillips is appointed Hartlepool United’s new boss

His appointment as head coach was made official before his new team’s Saturday National League matchup against Ebbsfleet United.

According to Pools, when the team plays York City at home on Saturday, the 50-year-old Phillips will be in charge of the team for the first time.

After leading South Shields to promotion to National League North in his lone complete season in charge, he left the position at the end of the previous season in his only prior managerial position.

After John Askey left the team at the end of the previous season due to a 2-0 loss at Oldham Athletic, Phillips will take over.

“Philips will take charge of Pools in the capacity of head coach,” the club announced.

“He will have full-time assistants in the form of current coach Antony Sweeney, who has extensive understanding of both the National League and EFL, and Lennie Lawrence, a highly experienced former manager of Middlesbrough and Charlton.

“Phillips has joined the team and staff this weekend, but after Tuesday’s game against Kidderminster Harriers, he will formally take over as team captain from the dugout.”

“I am delighted to have secured Kevin and would like to welcome him to the club,” said Chairman Raj Singh.

“I hope he does well in the part. Kevin has a stellar background having competed at the greatest levels of the sport and successfully made the move to coaching and management.

“His hands-on approach and desire to succeed were clear throughout the process.

“The selection was also heavily influenced by the combination and balance of skill sets that Kevin, Tony, and Lennie possessed. The goal was to quickly make an impact on a critical stretch of games in the upcoming weeks before continuing through to the finish of the season.

“Many prospects have been profiled and evaluated through a thorough procedure.

“I am very pleased to have finally secured Kevin with his credentials, even though it has taken longer than I would have hoped largely because of the uncertainty that currently surrounds the club.”