After a miserable run of form that has seen them slip to the bottom of the National League, Gateshead have confirmed a managerial restructuring in their quest for survival.
The Heed have turned to a familiar face in Rob Elliot to lead them as first-team manager in the second half of the season. The former Newcastle United goalkeeper was previously manager at Crawley Town but has been out of work since his sacking in March 2025.
Former manager Alun Armstrong has stepped aside to take a new role as the club’s Head of Football Development.
How have Gateshead fared so far this season?
The North East side has slumped to the base of the National League after eight league defeats on the trot. Off the back of this poor run of form, manager Alun Armstrong has been replaced by Rob Elliot.
Elliot’s new side have the worst defensive record in the division. They have conceded a total of 58 goals this season at an average of 2.4 goals per game, with Aldershot Town the next worst performers.
Gateshead find themselves four points from safety with a significantly worse goal difference than the majority of sides around them. One aspect of their season that new boss Elliot will have to improve on is home performances.
The 2024 FA Trophy winners have the worst home record in the division. They have emerged victorious in just one game at the Gateshead International Stadium all season and taken a total of five points from twelve games.
What can Rob Elliot bring to Gateshead?
With an incredibly difficult job on his hands, the appointment of Elliot may provide his new side with a lift. The 39-year-old led the Heed to sixth place in the 2023-24 season and FA Trophy success at Wembley.
With this in mind, it is an appointment that might bring fans back onside. A number of supporters have voiced their frustration recently with the club with attendances reducing, as seen by a figure of 431 at their home game against Eastleigh before Christmas.
Elliot has a clear playing style throughout his managerial career. The former Crawley manager focuses on a possession-based style of play with high-energy pressing.
As seen on SofaScore, Gateshead are ranked 12th for average possession in the National League despite their league position. This is something that their new boss will potentially be able to build upon.
On top of this, the average age of the Heed squad is 24.7 years. Elliot’s high-energy pressing style could be implemented successfully within a squad of young, energetic players.
Can Rob Elliot secure National League survival for Gateshead?
The new man in the dugout has an incredibly tough job on his hands. Given the run of form that the National League side are on, it will be an incredible achievement should he turn it round as National League Lowdown co-host Mark stated:
“Will the genie come out of the managerial bottle again? It’s gonna take a miracle for him to keep Gateshead in the National League”
In order to reach the perceived safety mark of 50 points in the National League, Gateshead will need to pick up an average of 1.4 points per game. Taking this into account, the National League’s bottom side will need to produce play-off level form in order to reach this points total.
Whilst it looks to be an impossible task, Gateshead have made the managerial change at arguably the best time to give them a chance at National League survival.