Crawley Town Sack Rob Elliott Amid Relegation Battle

Crawley Town have parted company with manager Rob Elliot after a challenging season that has left the club battling to avoid relegation from League One.

The former Charlton Athletic and Newcastle United goalkeeper took charge of the club on 1st October, following Scott Lindsey’s exit to MK Dons. However, Elliot struggled to turn Crawley’s fortunes around, with the Reds now sitting 12 points adrift of safety with just nine games left to play.

After Mike Williamson left, Elliot became caretaker at Gateshead in October 2023. He led them to 6th place but missed the play-offs and won the 2024 FA Trophy. Appointed permanently in June 2024, he later joined Crawley in October but was sacked yesterday.

Poor Results Lead to Elliot’s Departure

During his tenure, Elliot managed only six wins from 31 matches in all competitions, with 18 defeats. His departure comes after a string of poor results, including heavy losses against Lincoln City and Huddersfield Town.

“The club would like to thank Rob for all of his efforts during his time at the Broadfield Stadium and wish him all the best for the future.”

With the club in turmoil, assistant coaches Louis Storey and Anthony Sweeney have been placed in temporary charge until a permanent replacement is found.

Who Could Be Next for Crawley Town?

Speculation is already mounting over who will take over the managerial role at Crawley Town. Former boss Scott Lindsey, who guided the club to promotion last season, has been mentioned as a potential candidate. Betting odds suggest Lindsey is the early favourite, with fans on social media calling for his return.

MK Dons recently dismissed Lindsay, and a move back to Sussex would seem possible after his heroics in getting them promoted. Other names in the running include ex-Northampton Town manager Jon Brady, another with a track record of being promoted from League One, and former Richie Barker, father of current defender Charlie.

Writer’s View

Elliot’s dismissal comes as little surprise given the team’s recent performances. Injuries, a lack of squad depth, and some questionable refereeing decisions may have contributed to the club’s struggles, but ultimately, a manager’s job is judged on results.

Crawley now face the daunting task of rebuilding for next season, with relegation to League Two looking increasingly inevitable. The next managerial appointment will be crucial in shaping the club’s future.

Gary Hutchinson is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Real EFL, which he launched in 2018 to offer dedicated coverage of the English Football League. A writer for over 20 years, Gary has contributed to Sky Sports and the Lincolnshire Echo, while also authoring Suited and Booted. He also runs The Stacey West and possesses a background in iGaming content strategy and English football betting. Passionate about football journalism, Gary continues to develop The Real EFL into a key authority in the EFL space.

RELATED ARTICLES

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

Leave a Reply