Crawley Town have named Rob Elliot as their new manager after the departure of highly successful manager Scott Lindsay to MK Dons.
Elliot, a former Republic of Ireland international and Newcastle goalkeeper departs Gateshead after a successful tenure, in which he guided the team to an FA Trophy triumph at Wembley and a sixth-place National League finish. After Mike Williamson departed to MK Dons, Elliot was appointed as the interim manager, being made permanent manager in June 2024. A move to a League One club a mere few months into his management career is a testament to his credentials.
Elliot’s playing career spanned over a decade, with notable spells at Charlton Athletic and Newcastle United, where he played for nine years. After retiring as a player, he transitioned into a coaching role, initially serving as technical director at Gateshead. His experience as a player and coach, combined with his forward-thinking, data-driven approach, made him an attractive candidate for Crawley Town’s leadership position.
The 38-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club and will be supported by his former Gateshead assistant Louis Storey, and coach Antony Sweeney. Crawley Town chairman Preston Johnson has expressed confidence in Elliot’s ability to build on the club’s recent successes and help them survive against the odds in League One.
After appointing in-house for the Williamson replacement, the question is, do Gateshead do it again?
The current interim manager is Ben Clark, who on paper is the perfect fit. However, he has said he does not want the job permanently, meaning Gateshead have to look elsewhere.
It will be tough to follow in Williamson and Elliot's footsteps, but as ever, The Head will be sure to appoint an exciting young coach.
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