National League strugglers Gateshead have taken a significant step forward in their search for their next permanent manager, following a development prior to Saturday’s defeat against Barrow.
The Heed are currently bottom of the table, losing 14 of their opening 16 league games and already find themselves 13 points off safety as the division slowly approaches the half-way stage of the campaign.
A recent development regarding a takeover being close, adds significantly needed positivity to the football club – but despite this, they slipped to a heavy home defeat whilst relegation rivals Hartlepool United, Solihull Moors and Scunthorpe United each picked up points.
However, a development on Saturday began to suggest that the club are pressing ahead with plans to pull off an escape and ensure they retain their fifth-tier status.
Gateshead close in on managerial appointment
Following the exit of Lee Cattermole, Gateshead have remained without a permanent manager thus far, guided solely by Ben Clark – which has seen an improvement in performances despite their ongoing winless run in the league itself.
The Heed are currently on an horrendous run off form, taking just one point from their last 14 league games and have now lost ten games on the bounce, but could their saviour be about to step into the hot seat?
According to a report from journalist Pete O’Rourke, Gateshead are closing in on the appointment of Andy Butler as their new manager, after he attended Saturday’s defeat against Barrow with the new proposed owners of the National League side.
Butler has only been out of a job for two weeks, following his dismissal as manager of fellow fifth-tier side Scunthorpe, but could be in the role to face the Iron in just under two weeks time.
The 43-year-old secured the Iron a place in the first round of the FA Cup, but then suffered back-to-back defeats in his final matches in charge, leaving them 23rd in the table as a result.
Would Butler be a good fit for Gateshead?
Currently, Gateshead are starring down the barrel at a return to the National League North, unless they can pull off a second consecutive ‘great escape’ and that is currently looking unlikely.
Butler would arrive at the Heed within weeks of a tough end to his time with Scunthorpe, where he worked with a tighter budget and had to rebuild in several areas after losing key players like Cal Roberts and Oliver Ewing.
However, the 43-year-old successfully guided the Iron to promotion from the NL North two season’s ago and led the side to the top seven last campaign.
Therefore, whilst Butler and his team will have eyes on trying to pull off another famous relegation escape for the Heed, the likelihood is that Gateshead’s new owners are preparing for next season with this appointment, knowing his previous track record in the division.
Gateshead are on a 14-match winless run in the National League, but face games against relegation rivals Hartlepool and Scunthorpe in the coming weeks, which could be the perfect opportunity for Butler to step in and help to get some more points on the board.
