We spoke to Rob Elliot for the first time, after he was appointed as Carlisle United’s new Head Coach.
Following his arrival at Brunton Park, he said: “I’m pleased, really excited to be here and everyone has given me such a warm welcome.
“It’s nice to get here, see the surroundings and start getting prepared.
Announced as the club’s new Head Coach on Thursday, Friday was Rob’s first day on-site. He talked us through what his first day in the job has been like, stating: “It’s been a really nice first impression for me, great to see everyone working.
“I’ve met the media team and had a look around. You can see how much work goes into making the club run, from the commercial side, the upstairs and the entire community.”
Rob’s time at Gateshead concluded earlier in the week, he described why Carlisle felt like the next step for him, saying: “There’s a feeling of excitement, I wasn’t expecting something coming up so quickly with the Gateshead chapter finishing.
“When you have an opportunity like this, you can’t turn it down.
“The club's doing everything it can, putting everything in place to be successful, not just for the short-term, but for the long-term.
“It’s just such an exciting opportunity to be a part of, I really hope that my personality will match up with the club really well.”
Elliot, who managed at Brunton Park in April when United hosted Gateshead, was very impressed during his time in the opposite dugout.
“You could see the size of the fan base and the club, it really does make you think what an exciting place it is.
“As a coach you want to work with good players and there’s definitely some really good players here.
“When you put all that together, the size of the club, the community, the fan base and then the talent on the pitch, it just seems like the club's going in the right direction.”
Rob played professionally for 20 years across mostly the Championship and Premier League, and referenced the impact that his coaches had on him, explaining: “I was really fortunate, I had some brilliant coaches and you just have to learn from it.
“We want to win games of football, but we want to do it in a way that’s aggressive and we want to play attacking football.”
Asked whether his background as a goalkeeper gives him a different view in coaching compared to outfield players, he said: “You’re always watching a game from a different perspective than others, and you’re never really involved in it.
“That’s why I’m big on trying to be front-footed on the press and being aggressive both with and without the ball, that’s because as a goalkeeper, you’re always wanting the ball to come to you.”
Last season, the 40-year-old re-joined Gateshead for his second spell at the club. He managed to pull-off a great escape, after the Heed Army were 11 points adrift of safety when Elliot arrived.
“It was brilliant, an amazing achievement, but ultimately it was the players who stepped onto the pitch and did that.
“It goes to show that when you really believe in something, then you can really drive towards that cause.”
Having fallen just short of promotion from the Enterprise National League last season, Elliot has a clear target for the next campaign with United: promotion.
“We know that we want to get promoted, and we know we want to get out of the National League.
“We want to get promoted, but we also want to be adaptable and get better.
‘We want to push the club, want to drive the club forward, and do well year after year.”
Despite being early in his coaching journey, he spoke with conviction about the non-negotiables that will underpin his approach at Brunton Park, stating: “The big thing for me and the thing I look for is, how hard do the players work?
“You never get out worked, but I don't have many non-negotiables to do with football.
“Work hard, make sure you give your all, be a good person, respect the club, respect the culture.”
Rob also paid tribute to the supporters, highlighting the warm welcome he has received since arriving at the Blues. and the incredible backing already shown through season ticket sales ahead of the new campaign.
“Thank you for all the messages and support, it’s been lovely meeting you all.
“We will definitely put out a team that the club are proud to watch and there's a connection there.
“With 3,000 people signed up already for season tickets. It's incredible.”
Ahead of a new era under Rob Elliot, now is the time to Be There for Every Moment. Purchase your 2026/27 season ticket HERE!
