Ex-Premier League manager, 76, returns to dugout with National League side almost TWO DECADES after last permanent job

ONE of the Premier League’s archetypal managers has returned to the dug-out aft a near-20 twelvemonth lack to instrumentality implicit Hartlepool United aged 76.

Lennie Lawrence was Middlesbrough brag erstwhile the Prem kicked disconnected mode backmost successful the 1992-93 run aft antecedently managing Charlton.

He aboriginal had spells astatine Bradford, Luton, Grimsby and was successful complaint of implicit 1,000 matches but the past came astatine Cardiff earlier his sacking successful 2005.

Lawrence had antecedently worked connected the committee and past arsenic adjunct earlier becoming caretaker erstwhile Darren Sarll was sacked past month.

Pools, who caput to leaders York City connected Saturday and who beryllium 15th, person present confirmed that the seasoned volition stay arsenic manager until the summer.

Lawrence volition person ex-Woking brag Anthony Limbrick arsenic caput manager and Gavin Skelton arsenic first-team coach.

Upon taking charge, helium said: "It’s been a precise thorough and nonrecreational process that the committee has conducted, and it’s a determination we’re precise excited about.

“A batch went into it and 1 of the priorities was a semipermanent plan, and the thought is to connection my acquisition wherever imaginable to make the remainder of the team."

Upon the announcement, a Hartlepool committee spokesperson said: "We are truly pleased to corroborate our caller absorption squad pursuing an extended reappraisal and process.

"Lennie has an unthinkable way grounds successful absorption arsenic good arsenic with his mentorship roles of coaches and managers.

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"He’s besides proven connected aggregate caretaker occasions astatine Hartlepool United his quality and tendency to measurement up and clasp the manager position, which has been evident successful his caller results and a reformed benignant of play.

"As Board we were keen to spot the trajectory and elder stewardship nether Lennie continue, and with Anthony and Gavin we person besides secured 2 outstanding pro licence method coaches who are highly regarded wrong the game.

"We judge their complementary attributes and tendency to measurement up successful owed people volition acceptable good with Lennie, to springiness the Club some the champion accidental successful the contiguous abbreviated word this play whilst besides readying longer term.

"Additionally we are looking longer word with the likes of Nicky Featherstone and supporting his improvement beyond playing career, and the afloat complement of archetypal squad enactment unit including medical, spot & conditioning, scouting and investigation volition besides stay astatine the absorption teams’ disposal."