Paul Hartley insists he is setting his sights on another promotion after being formally unveiled as the new Hartlepool manager.
The former Celtic, Hearts and Scotland midfielder was appointed by the League Two side earlier this month after leading Cove Rangers to the Championship.
That was the 45-year-old’s fifth promotion as a manager after two previous successes with Alloa Athletic, one with Dundee and Cove’s League Two title in 2020.
Hartlepool finished last season 17th in England’s bottom division, just six places away from relegation, but Hartley is backing himself to have Pools fighting at the right end of the table next term.
He said: “I’ve had a bit of success over the years - five promotions in just over 10 years as a manager.
“I want to try to continue that trend. We’re not here to just float about the middle of the league; we want to be competitive and we want to challenge.
“That’s my job and that of the staff and the players, to challenge at the top end of the table.
“We’ve got to have a team on the park that can do that, but you’ve got to have the right culture, the right spirit and the right players in there.”
Hartley will be assisted by Gordon Young, who was his right-hand man at Cove Rangers and Falkirk.
Hartley added: “He’s a terrific coach, Gordon, very knowledgeable. He’s worked in a lot of places, he’s worked abroad and in England, and he’s been a manager in his own right.
“We work well together and it’s really important I’ve got him with me.”
