Rob Elliot: Ex-Newcastle goalkeeper tipped to take Crawley Town job after key Mike Williamson decision

Ex-Newcastle United shot-stopper and current Gateshead boss Rob Elliot has been heavily linked with the vacancy at League One side Crawley Town following Scott Lindsay’s exit to MK Dons.

Lindsay, who steered the Red Devils to a surprise promotion via the League Two play-offs last season, made the surprise decision to drop back down to the fourth tier to replace Mike Williamson as MK Dons boss.

Williamson, who played at Newcastle from 2010 to 2016, left the Stadium MK to take over the reins at Carlisle United. He claimed he was attracted to the team’s incredible support and told the club website: "The club is incredibly well supported, it's a passionate club, a historic club," he said. "I spoke to the owners and could see the passion and values they embodied. It felt right."

Williamson led the Cumbrians to an impressive 2-0 victory away to Swindon Town on his first game in charge and is now hoping to inspire the team up the league after a poor start.

Williamson’s move has triggered something of a managerial domino effect, which could now see his former Newcastle teammate Elliot get his first taste of management in the Football League after less than a year in the Gateshead gig.

Elliot, who initially joined the Tynesiders as technical director, became head coach in October 2023 after Williamson’s departure. In the second half of last season, he led the Heed to FA Trophy glory for the first time and also recorded a commendable sixth place finish in the National League.

However, the club were controversially prohibted from competing in the play-offs at the time as they were unable to secure a 10-year lease on their ground at the International Stadium, which is owned by the council.

Gateshead have started the season in excellent form and are currently fifth in the National League table after 10 matches. Elliot’s stock in the game is rising rapidly due to his team’s eye-catching brand of football. These qualities are believed to make him a contender for the Crawley job, according to Betting Odds, who have him priced as 2/5 favourite to become the new manager at Broadfield Stadium.