Lee Cattermole has been sacked as manager of Gateshead FC, with the National League club rooted to the foot of the table after a dismal start to the season. Assistant coach Martin Smith has also been relieved of his duties, with club legend Ben Clark taking charge on an interim basis.
A club statement confirmed the decision: "Gateshead Football Club can confirm that the decision has been taken to terminate the contract of First-Team Manager, Lee Cattermole."
The statement added: "The decision follows a series of poor results which have seen the club anchored to the foot of the Enterprise National League table. Assistant Manager, Martin Smith, will also leave the club with immediate effect. First Team Coach, Ben Clark, will assume the role of Caretaker Manager until further notice."
Financial crisis and unpaid wages
Interim chairman Graham Wood said: "The club wishes to thank Lee and Martin for their efforts and wishes them both success in their future careers."
The sacking comes amid growing unrest among fans, with Gateshead taking just four points from their opening 12 league games. Several first-team players have also been forced to train away from the group in what has been described as a 'bomb squad.'
The Tynesiders are in the midst of a financial crisis following the departure of key backer Mark Nellist, who had been the main backer since 2019. Players and staff were not paid their September wages, which were due on the final working day of the month, and there is growing uncertainty about the club's future.
Cattermole's bombshell interview
An emergency meeting was held by players and staff before training on Friday to discuss when they might be paid, but they were not given any assurances, only that the club was working to bring in new investors.
Gateshead were narrowly beaten by Worthing on Saturday, and Cattermole delivered a bombshell final interview following the game, claiming individuals 'don’t want the team to move forward.'
Speaking after the defeat, he told the club website: "Everyone has to be united, this club is nowhere near that, nowhere near that. The club is nowhere near where it should be, it’s been disappointing. Press goes out about the players wages not being paid. That’s disappointing but it happens."
He added: "But it goes from before that, well before that. We need to figure out who wants to be part of the new regime or whatever you want to call it and find out who wants to be part of it."
Next fixture
Cattermole said he had been "fully aware for the whole time I’ve been here, that isn’t the case," and that there are "people in this building that don’t want the team to move forward."
Gateshead are next in action on Saturday, October 10, when they travel to Halifax Town.
