Born-again Paul’s lapping up a deep Pool of potential
Paul Hartley is masterminding a Scottish revolution at ambitious Engl ish League Two side Hartlepool United.
The 45-year-old believes he can rouse his “sleeping giant” of a County Durham club and get it marching up the leagues.
Hartley – who led Cove Rangers to two promotions in three seasons – has had to bide his time for an opportunity down south.
Hartlepool , who average around 5500- 6000 fans every week, finished 17th in the 24-team division last season.
But new gaffer Hartley sees no reason why they can’t push for promotion to the third tier of Eng l i sh footba l l af t er undertaking a major rebuilding job this summer.r.
He said: “I had a really good jobb at Cove Rangers.
“I workedd with a good chairman, good people and we had a good team.
“We had a five-year plan to reach thee Championship and we managed too do it in three.
“It took a lot for me to leave there and come to Hartlepool but if we can wake this sleeping giant of a club and improve standards, there’s so much untapped potential here.
“We’ve got a terrific fanbase and we feel that if we can get the place rocking and get the team going then we can challenge at the top end of the table.
“The day-to- day interaction is something I missed at Cove and that was a big attraction for me here, getting to be on the pitch every day. It’s something I’ve been used to all my career.
“It ’s been a challenging opening month but I’m really enjoying it.
“There’s been a lot to deal with on and off the pitch.
“Everything’s about the culture and that’s something I’ve tried to change at every club I go to. There’s been a massive rebuild needed as well.”
Following a disastrous spell at Falkirk, Hartley says he quickly rediscovered how good a coach he was after a successful period at Cove Rangers.
He said: “The Falkirk job is what happens sometimes in football. It wasn’t a great situation for me and it didn’t work well.
“You can ask any manager, there will always be one or two jobs in their managerial career that don’t go so well.
“I went to Cove Rangers and rediscovered that I’m a good manager and can coach. I’ve always loved football, that will never change.chang
“When you lose your job, you begibegin to doubt youyourself and it’it’s a bit of a sesetback.
“However, yyou’ve got to bbounce back anand the job at Co v e was brilbrilliant.
“I ’ vve got a fresh chchallenge at HartlepooHartlepool and it’s a very big oneone. I’vI’ve had five promotions in 10 years so I know how to win games of football.”
Five of Hartley’s eight new signings are familiar faces in Scottish football: Euan Murray, Brody Paterson, Jake Hastie, Regan Tumilty and Mouhamed Niang.
Hartley said: “It’s been a really busy window. The Scottish lads are players I know, can trust and who have a lot of potential.
“They’re young players who are hungry to be successful. I think they’ll do very well. The signing of Brody is an example of the work we’ve done.
“He’s only 21 and has a lot of potential. I’m really pleased with the business we’ve done so far.
“The ambition for the season ahead is to win as many games as we can and to be fighting at the top end of the table.”
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