Leicester City legend ‘excited’ after landing new job in English football, he will want to improve record

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Former Leicester City defender and Leeds United manager, Simon Grayson, has landed a new role in English football ahead of next season.

On the back of his long playing career, Simon Grayson’s managerial journey has been equally as extensive, with varying degrees of success.

Since the Englishman called time on his 433-game playing career, Grayson has managed English football giants such as Leeds United and Sunderland, as well as Huddersfield Town and Preston North End before making the eye-brow raising move to the Nepal Super League.

After three years and two clubs in Nepal, Grayson has landed a new role in English football, but his record as a manager in the EFL has been tainted by some of his recent spells in EFL dugouts.

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Simon Grayson lands new role as Hartlepool United manager

As a player, Grayson helped Leicester to win promotion twice through the play-offs, in both the 1993/94 campaign and the 1995/96 season, and followed that up with the Foxes’ League Cup win in 1997 over Middlesbrough.

After retiring with over 430 appearances to his name, Grayson moved into management with Blackpool, who he guided to Championship promotion with a 2-0 victory over Yeovil Town in the play-off final.

Spells with Huddersfield, Preston, and Sunderland would follow before his short stints once more in the EFL.

Following his sacking at Fleetwood Town, Grayson made the surprising switch to the Nepal Super League in 2022, and there led Lalitpur City to consecutive league titles.

Now, the former Foxes veteran has been appointed by National League outfit Hartlepool United, returning to English football management after a four-year absence.

Grayson told Hartlepool’s media after his appointment: “I’m really happy to join Hartlepool United FC.

“The club has gone through some tough times recently but by working hard together as a staff and fanbase we can bring back the good times which this football club deserves.

“Hartlepool is a club with real potential and I’m excited by the prospect of what we can achieve here. I can’t wait to get started.”

His history of managing some of the greatest clubs in the country and winning promotions is impressive, but his disastrous tenure at Sunderland has tainted his reputation in English football.

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Simon Grayson’s stint at Sunderland tainted his EFL reputation

Before his move to become Sunderland head coach in 2017, Grayson’s stock as a manager in English football was high, with the Englishman having masterminded promotions to the second tier at Leeds, Huddersfield, and Preston.

However, his spell at the Black Cats will forever be remembered as a disastrous spell, after Grayson lasted just 18 games in charge at the Stadium of Light.

Following their relegation from the Premier League, Sunderland were expected to storm to the second tier summit in the 2017/18 Championship, but Grayson lasted just four months at the Black Cats after winning just one league game in charge.

Then-Sunderland chief Martin Bain said after sacking Grayson in 2017: “While we hoped that Simon’s experience in the Football League would help us to a successful season, results have not been good enough for a club of this stature.”

In his post-Sunderland stints in EFL dugouts at Bradford, his return to Blackpool, and Fleetwood, Grayson failed to last more than a year in charge at all three clubs.

Grayson will want to turn the tide on that record, and replenish his reputation in English football, by guiding Hartlepool United back up the divisions.