Rob Elliot became the permanent manager of Gateshead on Thursday morning, ahead of the 2024–2025 National League season. The National League team won the FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium last month, finishing in the top seven despite not being able to qualify for the play-offs. Elliot was appointed interim manager of the Heed in October, and he has now committed to a contract after leading the team for seven months.
The 38-year-old was appointed interim manager of Gateshead when Mike Williamson, the previous head coach, left to join Milton Keynes Dons. The custodian was previously the technical director of Gateshead for Charlton Athletic and Newcastle United.
Elliot oversaw an outstanding run, winning 21 games out of 38 in all competitions, despite losing important players like Stephen Warne to Williamson’s new team during the January transfer window.
The Heed finished sixth and earned a spot in the FA Trophy final by scoring 73 goals in total during the campaign. The team was disqualified from the competition even though they placed in the play-offs since they were unable to obtain a “ten-year security of tenure” guarantee for Gateshead International Stadium, where they play.
The team was disappointed not to be in the end-of-season play-offs despite an appeal, but it didn’t stop the Gateshead interim boss from creating history.
For the first time in their existence, Elliot guided the team to victory in the FA Trophy final at Wembley, as they defeated Solihull Moors 5–4 on penalties.
Elliot’s appointment as permanent manager means that Gateshead supporters have a lot to look forward to in the forthcoming season.
Williamson’s possession-based aggressive style of play will be carried over into the upcoming season, making the Heed a formidable opponent for teams hoping to advance to League Two in addition to being fun to watch.
Neil Pinkerton, the club chairman, is undoubtedly anticipating the upcoming season with optimism:
You can be confident that we’re in excellent position with regard to both our off-field and on-field recruitment strategies since Rob, Louis, and the entire team have been tenacious during the off-season.
With a spot in the playoffs undoubtedly the goal, Elliott will now try to capitalise on the work previously done at the club over the previous season.
Since the team has not added any players this summer, the club is now negotiating new contracts with defence trio Joe Grayson, Kenton Richardson, and Robbie Tinkler. However, Eliott isn’t concerned about the paucity of transfer activity thus far:
There is a genuine desire to go and put it [play off rejection] right next year, which is one of the major factors and the most satisfying reason for me to sign. Over the following few days and weeks, there will be a tonne of good news regarding players.
If the club has a successful season, they and the Gateshead supporters will hope that off-field politics don’t negatively impact the team again, given all the positive news coming from the club regarding managers contracts and possible new signings.
The team has declared that they are making every effort to make sure they don’t miss out on a promotion opportunity the following year.
The Heed are even thinking of leaving as a “plan B”
