Managerial Career
He guided the Staggies through two successful promotion campaigns before stepping down after a run of only one win in eleven games and joining Hartlepool United, who were newly promoted from the Third Division to the Second Division. Cooper took them to the play-offs in his first season where they lost to Bristol City in the semi-finals after two last-minute goals. In his second season, Cooper took Hartlepool within points to securing another play-off spot before leaving by mutual consent with one match remaining due to "personal and family issues". Hartlepool then went on to make the final of the play-offs, where they lost to Sheffield Wednesday. Three weeks after leaving Hartlepool, he took over the reins at Gillingham, who were in financial trouble and had lost the majority of their first team. Cooper resigned in November of that year after poor performances and an FA Cup defeat to Northern Premier League side Burscough.
In October 2006 Cooper returned to Scottish football with Second Division Peterhead, as he took on the role of first team coach under the management of Steve Paterson. When Paterson left Peterhead in early 2008, Cooper took over as manager. Peterhead narrowly missed out on the end of season playoffs for a place in the Scottish First Division in 2008 finishing 5th, however he guided the Blue Toon to fourth place the following season and a playoff against Airdrie United. Peterhead struggled in the following season, however, and Cooper left the club in March 2011 with them sitting bottom of the Second Division table.
On 28 December 2011, Cooper was reappointed as manager of League 1 club Hartlepool United. In Neale's third game as manager, Hartlepool managed to end their poor run of home form with a 2-0 win against Rochdale. Neale brought numerous talented young players into the Hartlepool first team with seven teenagers from the club's academy making their debuts. After a 3-2 defeat on the final day to league champions Charlton Athletic, he guided them to a 13th place finish in the 2011-2012 season, their highest league finish since he was last in charge at The Vic.
After a poor run of form at the start of the 2012-13 season, Neale resigned as Hartlepool boss in late October. He is still held in high regard by Hartlepool fans.
On 23 November 2012, Neale was appointed as assistant manager at SPL side Ross County alongside Derek Adams.
Read more about this topic: Neale Cooper
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