DAVE JONES has ended a three-year hiatus from football management to take over at Hartlepool United.

Since leaving Sheffield Wednesday in 2013, the 60-year-old has been away from the frontline - “I haven’t been in the dressing room at half-time bawling someone out for making the wrong pass,’’ he joked – but has been doing consultancy work at different levels of the game.

He will take charge on Monday, with Sam Collins, the club’s under-21 coach, picking the team for Saturday’s home game with Stevenage.

Kevin Cooper, who was assistant manager under Jones at Cardiff, follows him to the club.

Jones was always the odds-on favourite at the top of the betting list with the bookmakers following Hignett’s departure last Sunday and chairman Gary Coxall moved swiftly to secure Jones, who has managed 825 games with Stockport, Southampton, Wolves, Cardiff and Wednesday.

His appointment was confirmed last night and he will be unveiled to the media at a press conference at The Northern Gas and Power Stadium this afternoon.

Jones said: “I spoke to the chairman and he sold the project to me – an exciting time at a club that wants to go places, hopefully I can deliver that.

“My priority is to make sure the club grows and grows pretty quickly.

“In football you end up getting a job because the club’s not going well and people move on, you go into a club set in their ways and struggled for a few years.

“It has all the trappings to be successful and that’s what I’ve been brought into to deliver and it’s been quite a successful career and I don’t want to spoil that.’’

Jones’ capture is seen as something of a coup for chairman Coxall, making his second appointment at the club after he installed Hignett as Ronnie Moore’s replacement last February.

“Why Hartlepool?’’ asked Jones. “A challenge. People have an idea you have to be at the top of the football world to enjoy it.

“I was sold an idea here, it tickled my fancy and got my taste buds going. I’ve been here before with Stockport and know the tradition, every club has a tradition – a good following and good away support and you just want a good team and performances to match.

“Hopefully I can deliver that. No guarantees, but my CV says I can do it.

Jones, who has 13 managerial honours to his credit, replaces Hignett with Pools in 19th spot in League Two, with 27 points from 26 games. He said: “Wherever I’ve gone as a manager is to a club which is struggling and this is no different.

“I’m trying to bring my experience to the club – educating staff, making them better and I feel have a knowledge I want to share. I’ve been given that opportunity by Hartlepool. It doesn’t have to be the top of the Championship or the Premier League – why not here?

“Some people have phoned and said well done, fantastic - others have said what are you doing!’’

While some out of work managers apply for every job going, Jones has not been touting himself around.

Instead he has waited for a position to come along which suits.

In an interview last week, he said: “It has to be right, there was one club I spoke to that just didn’t want to go anywhere, didn’t want to be promoted or, obviously, relegated. There was no point in that.

“I haven’t picked a division and said ‘that’s where I want to be,’ it’s all about where you feel comfortable. There has to be a light at the end of the tunnel.

“At all of the clubs I’ve ever been at, I’ve built for the future, that’s what I do. Some clubs are established and just want to stay as that.

“It has to be a project for me. I’ve been lucky in my career, I’ve left every team in a far better shape than when I first went. With the right opportunity, I don’t see why that shouldn’t continue.”

Collins spoke to the press yesterday morning and outlined a desire to be considered for the permanent job. After taking the side on Saturday, his third spell as caretaker manager, he will revert back to his role in charge of the club’s under-23 players, a position which he is comfortable with.

Chairman Coxall, interviewed on the club website, said: “I think it’s a brilliant appointment and one that really shows the direction this club is going to start moving in.

“The guy’s CV speaks for itself and this is such a move away from what clubs in and around us are doing – these are really exciting times for Hartlepool United.

“Dave has got every area covered. He already has his plans and has done a hell of a lot of research about the club, plus he’s got a vast amount of football knowledge and experience.

“One thing that stands out is how meticulous he is in his approach to management and if you can have that alone in League Two then I think it’s a platform for success.

“He has made it clear from the outset that he has a real desire to be a manager again; he didn’t need to get back in to management but he wants to get his boots muddy again and to go through the ups and downs – and do something different with this club.’’