Crawley Town are in search of a new manager following the unexpected departure of Scott Lindsay to MK Dons.
Lindsay, who led Crawley to a remarkable promotion from League Two last season, has left the club just six games into the current League One campaign, dropping back down to League Two to take over at MK Dons. The vacancy at Crawley comes as part of a broader managerial shuffle that began when former Newcastle United defender Mike Williamson left MK Dons to take charge at Carlisle United.
Rob Elliot, a former Newcastle United goalkeeper, has quickly emerged as the leading candidate to succeed Lindsay at Crawley. The Shields Gazette reports that Elliot, who started his coaching career as technical director at Gateshead before taking over as manager in October 2023, is now seen as the favourite for the job. During his time at Gateshead, Elliot made a significant impact, guiding the team to an FA Trophy victory and securing a sixth-place finish in the National League, although Gateshead were unable to compete in the play-offs due to stadium lease issues.
Crawley Town are keen to find a replacement who can build on the momentum Lindsay created. Under his leadership, the club underwent a dramatic transformation, going from narrowly avoiding relegation in 2022/23 to securing promotion via the League Two play-offs just one year later. However, the managerial merry-go-round has now left the club in need of a new head coach to continue their League One journey.
Elliot’s rapid rise through the coaching ranks has made him an attractive option for Crawley. His ability to get the best out of his players at Gateshead, along with his experience in fostering a front-foot, possession-based style of football, has drawn praise. The former Newcastle shot-stopper led Gateshead to success despite challenging circumstances and is now poised for his first management opportunity in the Football League.
Elliot’s move to Crawley would come after his successful stint in non-league football. His time with Gateshead saw him turn the Tynesiders into a competitive force, with their sixth-place finish in the National League earning them plenty of admirers. However, stadium lease issues denied the club a chance to compete for promotion. Despite these hurdles, Elliot has demonstrated his ability to build a strong team, and his tactical approach has earned him respect in the lower leagues.
Crawley Town will be hoping to finalise a managerial appointment soon, with Elliot currently the odds-on favourite. He is competing with several other candidates, including Ben Gladwin, Nathan Rooney, and Pete Wild, but it appears the former Premier League goalkeeper is leading the race.
Our View
Crawley Town’s managerial search comes at a pivotal time for the club, and the potential appointment of Rob Elliot could prove to be a smart move. Elliot’s work at Gateshead, where he implemented an attacking and possession-oriented style of play, demonstrates his ability to instill a clear philosophy in his teams. His familiarity with the lower leagues, combined with his experience at the highest levels of English football as a player, make him a strong contender for the job.
If Elliot is appointed, Crawley could benefit from his tactical acumen and ability to motivate players, qualities that could help them adjust to the rigors of League One. However, with other experienced candidates in the mix, Crawley will need to ensure they make the right decision to maintain the momentum built under Lindsay’s leadership.
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