FORMER Middlesbrough manager Lennie Lawrence has been named as the new caretaker manager of Hartlepool United.

Lawrence, who joined Pools as a non-executive director in November 2022, will be assisted by first-team coach and former caretaker Antony Sweeney.

Pools dismissed their former boss, John Askey, at the weekend after a run of one win from the last 11 league matches left them 18th in the National League table, just four points clear of the relegation zone.

A Pools statement said: “Lennie Lawrence has been named as caretaker manager ahead of Saturday’s home fixture against Oxford City.

“The former Charlton, Middlesbrough and Luton boss will be assisted by first-team coach Antony Sweeney.”

Lawrence, who turned 76 last month, was manager of Middlesbrough for a three-year spell between 1991 and 1994.

In his first season as manager, he guided Boro to a second-place finish in the Second Division, securing promotion into the top-flight for the inaugural season of the Premier League.

Boro were relegated from the Premier League the following campaign though, and Lawrence was removed from his position 12 months later after failing to win promotion at the first attempt.

He went on to manage at Bradford City, Luton Town, Grimsby Town and Cardiff City, and was briefly in joint caretaker-charge of Crystal Palace following the departure of the Eagles’ manager, Dougie Freedman.

Consultancy roles at Newport and Stevenage followed, before Lawrence was offered a director position at Pools by chairman Raj Singh.

Lawrence’s first game in caretaker charge of the first team comes on Saturday, when struggling Oxford City visit the Suit Direct Stadium.