Brown to join struggling Hartlepool

(GETTY IMAGES)

Phil Brown is set to be named as the new manager of Hartlepool United. The former Hull City and Preston North End manager will succeed Neale Cooper at Victoria Park and will bring in Brian Horton as his No 2.

Hartlepool are bottom of League One and have won only one game this season. Cooper left by mutual consent last month after just 10 months in charge. Brown will be confirmed as his replacement this week. The 53-year-old believes he can turn the club around if he is given time.

He took over at Hull City in a caretaker role at the end of 2006 and was given the job permanently after six games. The club were 22nd in the Championship when he took control but went on to win promotion to the Premier League the following season, and Brown kept them in the division during the next campaign. He left the club during the following season and had a brief spell in charge at Deepdale.