What Will New Heed Boss Magnay Look To Tackle First?

That's after head coach Rob Elliot left the Gateshead International Stadium to join EFL League One side Crawley Town. On October 17 last year, then manager Mike Williamson swapped Tyneside for Milton Keynes.

As was the case a year ago, the Heed have turned to a familiar face to lead them into a new era in the shape of former player-coach Carl Magnay.

Tom Bodell from title sponsors Vanarama takes a closer look at the new man’s in-tray...

1. Ensure the GIS remains a fortress

It’s one of the oldest cliches in football but with good reason: Make your home ground a fortress.

Gateshead have six wins from seven on Tyneside – only leaders Barnet (seven from seven) have won more games or collected more points on their home turf.

Being the most northerly club in the National League already ensures Gateshead is a tough away trip and their home record remains a source of strength.

2. Commitment to what’s gone before

This is surely a big part of the North-East outfit’s decision to hand former defender Magnay his first managerial post.

The 35-year-old played for and coached alongside Williamson who won the Vanarama National League North title in 2022 with a commitment to possession-focused football.

When he was lured south, technical director and former Newcastle United team-mate Elliot stepped into the breach – assisted by Magnay and Louis Storey – to deliver a top seven finish and FA Trophy victory at Wembley.

Now Magnay becomes the latest member of Williamson’s ‘coaching tree’ to get the top job, having worked with him at Stadium MK and Carlisle United.

Per 90 minutes, Gateshead rank second for passes attempted (551.54) and third for completed passes (470.23). When considering forward passes only they are third for completions with 131.69 per game.

Speaking to the club’s website following the appointment of Magnay and his former Chelsea team-mate Liam Bridcutt as assistant head coach, chairman Neil Pinkerton said: “It was hugely important to the Board of Directors that the necessary time be taken to bring the right people to Gateshead Football Club, and we appreciate our supporters’ patience over recent weeks.

“We are fully confident that Carl is the right person to continue the club’s progression – just as he has done in his previous spells as a player and a coach – and we look forward to seeing he and Liam get to work this week.”

3. Tighten up the defence

With their commitment to attacking football, it might not come as a huge surprise that Gateshead have been a little porous at times.

The 17 goals they have conceded put them right in the middle of the pack – nothing major to worry about there. But they have the fourth-worst expected goals against (xGA) per 90 figure this season (1.75).

In other words, only three sides – AFC Fylde, Eastleigh and Boston United – are conceding chances worth a higher value per game than the Tynesiders.

A combination of good goalkeeping and poor finishing has ensured they’re outperforming that figure. But Magnay will not want to rely on that.

If the former defender, who made 122 Heed appearances across two spells, can prevent his side giving up as many valuable chances, they could even climb from their current lofty perch in fourth.

Make the signing of the season with Vanarama

MAIN IMAGE CREDIT - GATESHEAD FOOTBALL CLUB