MAGNAY HAS GOT 'WHAT IT TAKES'

Heed happy with Elliot's successor

- Mark Carruthers

GATESHEAD chairman Neil Pinkerton and club stalwart Ben Clark have backed new manager Carl Magnay to become a success as he steps into the lead role in the dugout for the first time.

The Heed brought a successful end to a two-week search for a permanent successor to former manager Rob Elliot earlier this week when they agreed a deal with Magnay that sees the 35-year-old return for a third spell with his hometown club.

After spending time as a player, player-coach and first-team coach at Gateshead throughout the last decade, Magnay agreed to become the club’s new manager on Tuesday and was in the stands for their shock FA Cup defeat at the hands of Hednesford Town just hours later.

Despite receiving widespread interest in the vacancy and attracting the attention of a number of former EFL managers, Magnay remained Gateshead’s number-one target and was the only candidate approached over the last fortnight.