Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot has returned to Gateshead FC.
Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Rob Elliot is set to step down from his role as manager of National League neighbours [Gateshead](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/gateshead), Chronicle Live understands.
Elliot returned to his role at the International Stadium midway through last season and inspired a stunning turnaround in fortunes as an almost inevitable relegation into the National League North was avoided in spectacular fashion.
With several new signings playing an integral role in a major upturn in results and performances, Elliot’s new-look Heed side moved on from a 15-game run without a win that left them 12 points from safety to lose just two of their next 15 games to comfortably preserve their National League status.
After bringing down the curtain on a season of change, Elliot signalled his intent to build on the momentum built up during an impressive second half of the season and enjoy a positive summer of strengthening on and off the pitch.
Speaking to Chronicle Live after the final day defeat at Altrincham, when asked about what he wanted to bring in during his summer recruitment, Elliot said: “We look at the culture, will a player add to that culture? Even ahead of ability. How are they are a character? Will they buy in to what we have here at the football club?
“Are they driven? Do they fit a system? Are they hungry? Our recruitment is one of our biggest strengths because I know what we need at the football club to move forwards.
“I’ve learnt the hard way. If you don’t have a say on that it can cost you because it doesn’t bring balance and identity.
“We worked hard to bring in the right characters. A lot of players wanted to be here and that’s half the battle because you know they’re all-in.
“Now we have to assess the squad and see where we can improve because we can’t sit still and I’m really happy we have lads that have bought into this journey.”
Talks between Elliot and the Gateshead hierarchy have been ongoing since the end of the season and throughout recent weeks over how the club can progress on and off the pitch - and there have been difficulties in finding the best way forward.
The former Republic of Ireland international is believed to have interest from elsewhere after overseeing a successful push away from the relegation zone against all odds last season - but Chronicle Live understands his priority remained to find a way forwards with Gateshead and would play no part in any final decision over his future.
In his first spell in charge, the former Magpies stopper led the Heed to their historic FA Trophy final win against Solihull Moors in May 2024 and oversaw a promising start to the following season before accepting an offer to take charge of then-League One club Crawley Town.