Paul Hart is an English football manager. During his playing career, Paul had five-year spells with both Blackpool and Leeds United, whilst also turning out for Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday amongst others. He began his management career with Chesterfield, before managing Nottingham Forest, Barnsley, and Rushden & Diamonds. He was also manager of Premier League side Portsmouth and high profile clubs Queen’s Park Rangers and Crystal Palace.

He made his Blackpool debut in 1973 and eventually he established himself as a regular in the first-team. In 1978, after making 143 league appearances and scoring fifteen goals in the process, Paul left relegation-bound Blackpool for Leeds United for £300,000. Paul spent five years at Elland Road, playing 191 games before signing for Nottingham Forest in 1983. Paul scored in the controversial 1983–84 UEFA Cup semi-final against Anderlecht, but the goal was wrongly ruled out for no apparent reason and Anderlecht subsequently admitted having bribed the official. A year later Paul was sold to Sheffield Wednesday in May 1985. Paul had further spells at Birmingham City - before retiring from playing in 1988 -having made 567 league appearances.

After his spell at Notts County, Paul was appointed manager of Chesterfield in 1988. Paul spent three years at the Saltergate helm, reaching the playoffs. Paul then moved into youth coaching firstly at Forest then subsequently took charge of Leeds United's fledgling academy. Paul's proteges won the FA Youth Cup in 1993 and 1997 and formed the backbone of the Leeds side that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2000-01.

Paul then returned to take charge of Nottingham Forest's academy. Forest's Under-19 side became immensely successful winning the Under-19 title in 1999-2000. In the summer of 2001 Paul was appointed manager of Forest, succeeding David Platt. Where Paul's pioneering "diamond formation" was believed to be heavily behind their early success. With the financial problems alleviated somewhat, and having the benefit of a settled side, Forest reached the 1st Division play-off semi finals in the 2002-03 season.

After a successful stint at the City Ground, Paul decided to take the managers job at nearby Barnsley. Following that in 2007 Paul was appointed Director of Youth Operations at Portsmouth and in 2009 was offered the role of caretaker manager. He won his first game in charge 2–0 at home to Manchester City and continued as caretaker until the end of the 2008-09 season. He was appointed as permanent manager on a two-year contract.

In late 2009 Paul was appointed manager of Queens Park Rangers and following a brief spell at QPR was appointed manager of Crystal Palace in 2010. The Eagles were in administration, and Paul's task was to keep them in The Championship. This was achieved on Paul's final day in the job. A dramatic 2–2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday saw the hosts relegated instead, after which Paul left the club.

Paul Hart is a man who has come to know football very well through his experience and training at both grass roots and professional level. His resolute character and strong ties within football make him an obvious selection for any panel.