CRAIG HARRISON has been tasked with the job of leading Hartlepool United back into the Football League.

The former Middlesbrough defender, 39, yesterday left his job as manager of League of Wales champions TNS to take over at The Northern Gas and Power Stadium.

He will be unveiled to the media at a press conference this morning.

Pools’ attacking midfielder Lewis Alessandra, who has been relegated from the Football League in successive seasons following a spell with York in 2016, yesterday signed for Notts County for an undisclosed fee.

Harrison played for Boro under Bryan Robson from 1996-2000 before moving to Crystal Palace and his career was ended by a double compound fracture of the leg.

Gateshead-born, Harrison moved in to coaching with Airbus UK Broughton before enjoying unprecedented success with the only full-time club in the League of Wales.

TNS have been crowned Welsh Premier League champions six times, won four Welsh Cups and two Welsh League Cups, and he has led them into Champions League qualifying. They also cracked Ajax’s world record for successive top flight victories with 27 consecutive wins.

“I’m looking forward to working with Craig as we embark on a rebuild of the club,” said chief executive Pam Duxbury.

“He knows what it takes to succeed and is determined to bring his winning formula to our club and get us back to where we belong in the Football League.

“I think fans and players alike will take to him when they see the passion, dedication and ideas that he has to take our club forward and realise its potential."

TNS chairman Mike Harris said: “I would personally like to thank Craig for all of the success he has brought to the club in the five years or so he has been with us and I wish him all the very best in his new role with Hartlepool United.’’

Their chief operating officer Ian Williams added: “Craig has been instrumental in ensuring continued success during his time at the club, I wish him all the very best.’’

Alessandra netted nine times for Pools and racked up nine assists in his one season at the club following a move from Rochdale last summer.

"The end of last season didn't pan out the way I wanted it to and it was so disappointing," he said.

"Getting relegated on the last day and the manner in which it happened was absolutely gutting for everybody at the club (Hartlepool).

"I was low for a long time after and I can imagine the fans are still gutted now.

"But I had heard of Notts' interest and they are one of the biggest clubs in the league now given that Plymouth and Portsmouth were promoted.

"And as soon as I heard Notts made their interest clear, I was interested myself. I spoke to Vale but told them I had my mind made up on coming to Notts."

Notts boss Kevin Nolan added: “There were a number of clubs interested in Lewis and it looked tricky at one stage, but I'm absolutely delighted that he chose to come and work with us.

"Mark Crossley knows him really well from his time at Oldham Athletic and says he is a great lad – exactly the type of character we're trying to bring into the squad.

"He played every game for Hartlepool last season and, having watched a lot of their games, he was their bright spark.

"He will improve us, no doubt, and I'm confident we can also improve him.’’