Middlesbrough U23 boss Graeme Lee is set to be named as the new Hartlepool manager after terms were agreed with the Championship side.

The 43-year-old has been working with Boro at developing their academy players in recent years, and he has impressed, with several making the step up to the first-team.

However, he is poised to leave his role, with the Northern Echo confirming that Lee is set to succeed Dave Challinor as Hartlepool boss.

The update states that an agreement has been finalised between the clubs, with the appointment expected to be confirmed today.

Providing it does go through, it will give Lee his first taste in management and he will be returning to a club that he knows well, as the former defender started his career with the Pools and would go on to make over 200 appearances over an eight year period.

He will be taking over a Hartlepool side that are currently 17th in League Two having suffered five successive losses in the league.

The north-east side take on Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Trophy this evening, before a weekend trip to Lincoln in the FA Cup.

The verdict

This would be a blow for Middlesbrough in the sense that you don't want to lose someone who has an important role at the club, but you can't really stand in the way of Lee when an opportunity like this comes along.

The chance to be the main man is always going to appeal and it's obviously a club close to his heart considering he spent years there as a player.

So, this seems a long way down the line and an announcement should come today, and it will be interesting to see how Lee does moving forward.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.