Rob Elliot set to step down at Gateshead

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Rob Elliot is close to stepping down as manager of Gateshead just weeks after helping the North East club preserve their National League status against all odds.

The former Newcastle United and Charlton Athletic goalkeeper led the Heed to their first ever Wembley win as they lifted the FA Trophy with a penalty shoot-out win against Solihull Moors in May 2024 before departing to join Crawley Town just five months later.

Elliot returned to Gateshead earlier this year when he was named as successor to former manager Alun Armstrong and immediately put his own stamp on the squad he inherited by completing several new additions.

After a slow start to his second stint at the International Stadium, Elliot’s men ended a 15-game run without a win with a rare victory at FC Halifax Town and the kickstarted a stunning upturn in form consisting of just two defeats in their next 15 games.

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Future

Despite being bottom of the National League and 12 points from safety ahead of their win at The Shay, Gateshead ensured they would remain in Non-League’s top tier with three games remaining after claiming an away win against Aldershot Town – and Elliot spoke enthusiastically over what could lie ahead on and off the pitch.

He told The NLP: “It’s been an incredible achievement from the players and the staff and everything they’ve done and how hard they have worked.

“When everyone is writing you off and you’re getting stick and even when you start turning it around, to stay mentally strong and be able to keep focus, block out the noise and keep up the momentum, it’s a credit to everyone involved.

“We have to be really pleased as a club, really enjoy what we’ve done in the last three months but make sure we use this as a platform to not be in the situation again. 

“That’s the biggest thing for me, we can not allow ourselves to be in that situation on and off the pitch.”

Talks

However, after holding talks with the International Stadium hierarchy over recent weeks, Elliot and the Heed have struggled to agree a way forward as they looked to build on the unquestionable momentum gained by their astonishing escape from relegation.

Elliot has reportedly attracted interest from at least two other clubs.

Although, The NLP understands that interest has not played a role in his decision to consider his Gateshead future and the former Premier League keeper had remained focused on finding a resolution to how the National League club could move forwards.

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