BBC Sport report former Newcastle United goalkeeper set for new manager’s job in League One


 
 
 
 
 
 

One-time Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot is on the move.

BBC Sport revealing that he is set to take the manager’s job at another club.

Gateshead having rotten luck, as the better they do, it puts them at risk of losing their managers.

Mike Williamson doing that well, it saw MK Dons take him away last year, the one-time Newcastle United defender turning around their fortunes so successfully, that in turn we have seen Carlisle United come in and pay compensation to take Williamson last month.

Gateshead are currently fifth in the National League but if they win their game in hand on the four teams above, they would go second and only a point behind leaders Barnet.

They will be doing this though without Rob Elliot, as the former Newcastle United keeper is set to join League ONe club Crawley Town.

BBC Sport report – 30 September 2024:

‘Crawley Town are set to appoint Gateshead boss Rob Elliot as their manager.

BBC Radio Newcastle has been told the 38-year-old will join the League One club, having travelled down to West Sussex on Monday for talks.

Scott Lindsey left the Reds to join League Two MK Dons on Wednesday, with Ben Gladwin installed as interim boss and taking charge of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Bolton Wanderers.

Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Elliot and his assistant Louis Storey joined the Heed in October 2023 on a caretaker basis, before being given the roles permanently in June.

Elliot, 38, steered the club to a sixth-place finish in the National League last season but they were barred from the play-offs after failing to meet the English Football League’s requirement of securing a 10-year lease on their stadium.

He has led Gateshead to fifth in the league with 23 points from 11 games so far this season.

Storey and first-team coach Anthony Sweeney will join Elliot at the League One club.

Crawley have seven points from their first seven games and are 20th in the table.

‘Elliot will leave huge void to fill’ – Analysis

Simon Pryde – Total Sport host, BBC Radio Newcastle:

Rob Elliot’s departure will be an enormous blow to Gateshead fans.

The former Newcastle goalkeeper, having been part of Mike Williamson’s coaching staff, impressed when he took over after Williamson left for MK Dons in October 2023.

That disappointment of not being able to compete in the National League play-offs was soon forgotten when they won the FA Trophy at Wembley in May.

Elliot was given the job permanently, and fans looked forward with optimism to the new season.

They were right to do so. The free-flowing, attacking football continued, and Gateshead are again firmly established among the division’s front-runners.

Fans will understand Elliot’s reasons for leaving, but are well aware he and his coaching staff leave a huge void to fill.’