PREMIER LEAGUE Golden Boot winner Kevin Phillips has been named the new manager of Hartlepool.
The Sunderland legend, 50, was axed by non-league outfit South Shields last April, just one month after he led them to promotion to the National League North.
He has been out of work since, but is now returning with fifth-tier Hartlepool.
Following the announcement, Phillips said: “I’m delighted to join Hartlepool United and I can’t thank the Chairman enough for the opportunity to take charge of this fantastic club.
“I’m familiar with the North East having played and managed up here, so I know the area and the passion of the people from up here.
“I’m excited about the challenge and can’t wait to get stuck in.
“We know what we need to do to get up that league table, we need results, and I want to provide some fresh ideas for us to achieve that.
“The fans will be massive to us and I can’t wait to meet them at the Suit Direct Stadium.”
Hartlepool sit 13th in the National League after a run of just two wins in nine games.
They were relegated from League Two last season after two campaigns back in the Football League.
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And Phillips, who won 40 of his 69 games in charge of South Shields, will be hoping to inspire the team to a more positive second half of the season.
The ex-Sunderland, Southampton and Aston Villa striker retired from playing in 2014.
He is best-known for being the only English player to win the European Golden Shoe.
It came following the 1999/2000 season in which he scored 30 Premier League goals.
Phillips, who earned eight England caps, also bagged the Premier League Golden Boot, finishing seven ahead of Alan Shearer and 10 clear of Dwight Yorke.
