Former Carlisle United boss Chris Beech has been appointed head of recruitment at National League club Hartlepool United.
The ex-Blues boss has been handed the key backroom position under new head coach Lee Clark.
Pools confirmed Beech's arrival whilst confirming that Clark, the former Rotherham United boss, was replacing Nicky Featherstone at the helm.
And there is a role for another ex-United man in the new Pools regime, with Gary Liddle continuing in his role as first-team coach.
For Beech, Carlisle's head coach from 2019 to 2021, it marks a return to the game nearly two years after his departure as boss of AFC Fylde.
The 51-year-old had previously been director of football at Fylde before stepping into the manager's role.
🤝 Chris Beech has been appointed Head of Recruitment, while Gary Liddle will continue as part of the Club’s First Team coaching staff.
Great to have you both on board! 🙌— Hartlepool United FC (@Official_HUFC) May 14, 2026
Pools, who finished ninth in the National League last season, say the appointment of Clark followed "an extensive review of the club’s football operations carried out by Bromby & Partners".
Clark ended the 2025/26 campaign with a spell in charge at Rotherham, who were relegated from League One. His previous managerial roles include spells at Blackpool, Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City, Kilmarnock, Bury, Blyth Spartans, Sudanese club Al-Merrikh and Oman side Al-Ittifad.
In a club statement, Clark said: " I’m incredibly proud to be given the opportunity to lead this Football Club. Hartlepool United is a club with a strong identity, passionate supporters and a real connection with its town."
On the role of Liddle and Beech, Clark added: “Gary’s experience and understanding of the football club will be really important moving forward, while Chris Beech will play an important role in supporting the wider football strategy around the first team."
Former Pools midfielder Beech, the Monkey Hangers added, will "lead the club’s recruitment strategy, working closely with Clark, Bromby & Partners and the wider football department on player identification, squad planning and long-term development."
Pools owner Landon Smith said the appointments amount to "a critical balance of skill sets to help take the club forward."
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