The 39-year-old former Newcastle and Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper returns to the Gateshead International Stadium for a second spell in charge having previously led the Heed to a sixth-placed finish in the National League as well as FA Trophy glory in 2024.
When he was appointed manager in October 2023, replacing Mike Williamson initially on an interim basis, however, Elliot inherited a squad and a club that appeared to be on the up.
This time around, though, Elliot is set to take on an altogether different challenge as he replaces Alun Armstrong, who has been handed a new role as the club’s head of football development, with Gateshead rooted to the foot of the National League table and in the midst of a nightmarish run of 12 successive defeats.
Indeed, Elliot, who has been out of work since being sacked by Crawley in March last year after winning just six of his 33 games at the helm, admitted his new side have “a lot of work to do” after the Heed were beaten by Tamworth in his first match back in charge at the weekend.
After chairman Brian McWilliams vowed to support Elliot by strengthening his squad, Gateshead announced the signings of Mark Beck, who was linked with a move to Pools in the summer of 2024, defender Brad Nicholson as well as Louis Storey, who returns to the club in a player-coach capacity.
Elliot’s side, who are six points adrift of National League safety, travel to Pools on Tuesday, January 20.
