Gateshead next manager search continues as Ben Clark makes big decision
Gateshead legend Ben Clark has ruled himself out of the running to become the new permanent manager at the International Stadium - but insisted he will give the Heed board time to make the right appointment.
Just over five years have passed since Clark left his role at Gateshead manager at the end of a troubled season that saw the club come close to going out of business under their former owners.
However, the former Heed captain has remained a popular and welcome presence at the club as they have enjoyed a successful spell under the control of a supporter-led consortium and managers Mike Williamson and Rob Elliot.
Clark has stepped into an interim manager role following Elliot’s departure to League One club Crawley Town and he will be assisted by experience midfielder Jacob Butterfield, club captain Greg Olley and head of recruitment Luke Clark.
There has been no set time limit placed upon their interim reign - and Clark insisted he will do all he can to support the club until they are in a position to name a permanent successor to Elliot.
READ MORE: Rob Elliot grew into his Gateshead role as club face huge challenge to replace him
He told Chronicle Live: “It’s pretty much open until something happens and I said I would help out the club in anyway I can.
“The training during the week will be overseen by Butts (Jacob Butterfield) and Greg (Olley) and other existing staff within the club and I’ll be a figurehead on matchdays.
“They can lean on my experience because I’ve been there before, I know the DNA of the club and it’s important to give the club time the right decision to bring in the right management team going forwards.
“Between us we will get them prepared, nothing will change, it’s much the same style, it’s front-foot, possession-based, looking to score score goals.
“I love my job with the foundation, I’ve worked hard on that for the last four years and this is just me helping the club and giving Neil and the board to have time to make the right decision soon.”
Clark’s reign got under way with a narrow home win against Middlesbrough Under-21s in the first game of the inaugural National League Cup.
READ MORE: Gateshead FC rocked by Rob Elliot exit as ex-Newcastle United keeper joins Crawley Town
With a much-changed lineup from Saturday’s impressive 3-1 win at Southend, the Heed kicked off their group stage campaign with a 1-0 victory thanks to Jovan Malcolm’s first competitive goal for the club.
Clark praised the Boro youngsters for their performance at the International Stadium - and stressed Gateshead could also reflect on a good night after several players gained valuable game-time during the win.
He said: “I thought Middlesbrough were excellent, they had more control of the game, particularly in the second-half - but it’s been a tough week for the lads and you can tell they were out to impress.
“We looked good when we moved the ball quickly at times - but I wanted us to have more control and we didn’t have that. Credit to Middlesbrough, they’re a good side, they’re a Championship club and their young players are there for a reason. It was a good night, it was good to get minutes into the legs and it was good to get a win.”