Former Sunderland and Middlesbrough captain Lee Cattermole has completed his first month as Gateshead manager, bringing a common-sense approach to his new role. The 38-year-old is learning daily, building trust, and enjoying the challenge as the National League season approaches.
Pre-Season Progress and Squad Assessment
Pre-season training began a fortnight ago, giving Cattermole his first chance to work with the squad he inherited from predecessor Rob Elliot. The Heed boss saw his players in action during Tuesday's pre-season friendly win against Northern League side Blyth Town. Despite only one signing so far—former Sunderland academy defender Tommy Lavery—Cattermole has been busy speaking with agents and clubs about potential additions.
Lavery impressed with a solid second-half display at Blyth Town, while two trialists scored during the match. Cattermole remains cautious about revealing their identities but is optimistic about bringing in new faces soon.
Common-Sense Philosophy
Speaking to Chronicle Live, Cattermole said: “I have enjoyed it so far, I’ve really enjoyed it to be honest with you. There are so many new experiences, walking into rooms and holding different conversations and being prepared. It’s about using common sense, using my football knowledge, using my experience in the game and trusting that.”
He added: “The phone has been really busy, and that’s a new experience, but I have to trust myself with that as well because it’s about bringing the right people into the building and those that will buy into what I’m trying to do here. I will keep driving that with the lads that are here and they’ve already shown they are willing to buy in, they want to be here and now it’s about trying to bring in some gems to help the team and improve us.”
Patient Recruitment Strategy
Cattermole stressed he won’t rush into signings, saying: “I would like to think we will get bodies in soon, we aren’t in a rush. We have a good retained list and it’s only right we keep working with the players we have now before we go into the market properly. We have our eyes on a few, we know where we are at and we are all aligned, from the chairman downwards, for what we want to do.”
Coach Martin Smith's Surprise Appearance
Recently appointed first-team coach Martin Smith made a surprise appearance in midfield during the Blyth Town win. Cattermole clarified that Smith will not serve as a player-coach this season; his appearance was to experience the style of play being implemented. Cattermole explained: “If you’ve got a coach on the staff that can still play, and Martin definitely can, it’s an opportunity to play and let him feel what we are working on in training. There was a tactic there from a staff point of view where we thought why use a young player when Martin could go in and feel what we are doing on the pitch and make use of that as a coach. We have an added bonus having Smudge like that. The lads know that he is first-team coach, he’s not in a dual role here.”
