Adam Clayton and Gary Liddle, two former Carlisle United players, have been appointed as the interim management team at National League rivals Hartlepool United. The move follows the resignation of manager Lee Clark after a sixth defeat in nine games to start the season.

Clark left his post after Hartlepool, nicknamed the Monkey Hangers, lost 3-1 at home to Worthing on Saturday. That result left the club 19th in the table, three places and one point below Carlisle, who sit 16th on 10 points after nine games. The search for a permanent successor is now underway, led by the recruitment firm Bromby & Partners.

Chris Maxwell, head of football operations at Bromby & Partners, outlined the immediate plan. "Our immediate focus is on supporting Adam and Gary as they prepare the team for Saturday’s fixture against Scunthorpe United, while conducting a thorough and considered recruitment process," he said.

Both Clayton and Liddle have strong Carlisle connections. Clayton made 36 appearances for the Blues during a loan spell from Manchester City in the 2009/10 season. Liddle had a more extended stay, making 117 appearances over two-and-a-half years from 2017 to 2019. Liddle returned to Hartlepool in 2025 for youth and first-team coaching roles, while Clayton joined as assistant head coach this past June.

Maxwell expressed confidence in the caretaker setup and the potential of the job for the next permanent manager. "We believe this is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate, with the majority of the season still ahead and a good squad foundation in place," he added.

For Carlisle, the managerial change at a close rival adds another layer to the National League campaign. The Blues' own recent form shows one win, two draws and two losses from their last five outings, a sequence you can review on our standings page. Their next challenge is a home match against 18th-placed Woking on Saturday, 26 September, a fixture detailed on our fixtures list. Clark's tenure at Hartlepool lasted just four months, having been appointed in May with the same firm's involvement.

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