HARTLEPOOL UNITED have confirmed the appointment of their former player Graeme Lee as their new manager.

Lee, who leaves his previous position as lead coach of Middlesbrough's Under-23s, will work alongside Michael Nelson, who returns to Victoria Park as assistant manager.

Lee Turnbull has also joined Pools in a consulting capacity to lead the club’s scouting and recruitment with an immediate focus on the January transfer window.

Antony Sweeney, who has been leading Pools on a caretaker basis, will remain in charge for this evening's Papa John's Trophy game at Sheffield Wednesday, and will return to his position as first-team coach after the trip to Hillsborough.

Pools' new-look backroom team will also feature head of Performance Jake Simpson, goalkeeping coach Dimi Konstantopoulos and first-team physio Steven Hayward.

Speaking to Hartlepool's official wesbite, Pools chairman Raj Singh said: "It was always the view that we wanted to appoint a manager and coaching team that was modern in their approach, with the capability to build on foundations that have been put in place over recent years.

"Graeme joins us from Middlesbrough FC where has amassed a wealth of experience over a ten-year period and alongside Michael Nelson we believe we have two very forward thinking coaches that are also strong and capable characters to lead the players and club forward.

"Graeme and Michael also know this level of football remarkably well having captained various sides in the Football League, they are natural leaders and both have a deep connection with our club having played nearly 500 games for Hartlepool United between them.

"I have great confidence that their commitment and work ethic will be second to none and I felt it was critical that we have people in the building who want to go the journey with us, to really unlock this club’s full potential."

Lee spent seven seasons with Pools as a player, playing a prominent role in the club’s promotion to League One and becoming a firm fans’ favourite in the process.

He left Victoria Park in 2003, moving to Sheffield Wednesday where he linked back up with former Pools boss Chris Turner.

He briefly returned to Hartlepool on loan in 2008 while playing for Doncaster Rovers, and also spent six months with Darlington playing under Craig Liddle before he retired from playing in 2013.

He has spent more than a decade working on Middlesbrough’s coaching staff, and stepped up to a lead coaching role with the Under-23s after initially working under Paul Jenkins in the club’s highly-respected Rockliffe Park academy.

A Boro statement said: "Graeme departs with the best wishes of all at MFC and we'd like to thank him for all his hard work and dedication during his time with us. We wish Graeme and Hartlepool every success for the future."