Gateshead sack Lee Cattermole after seventh straight defeat

Gateshead have sacked manager Lee Cattermole after seven straight defeats left the club bottom of the National League.

The 2-1 home defeat by Worthing was his final game in charge. Assistant manager Martin Smith has also left the club, BBC Sport reported.

Cattermole joined Gateshead in June on a two-year deal. He won one and lost 11 of his first 14 games in charge.

Gateshead sit last in the table with four points from their opening 12 games. The National League is the fifth tier of English football, one division below League Two.

The run has been painful. Southend United beat Gateshead 6-1 last month, scoring all six goals before half-time. Sam Austin hit a first-half hat-trick in that game, BBC Sport reported.

The problems go beyond results. Majority shareholder Mark Nellist has resigned from the board and withdrawn his funding support. He plans to gift his shares to director Stephen Paylor, an American-based director, subject to approval from the Independent Football Regulator.

Players and staff had yet to receive their wages for September at the time of the announcement.

For fans, this means a fight on two fronts. The team needs points fast to escape the bottom. The club needs a stable owner to pay wages and plan ahead.

Gateshead have not yet named a replacement. Whoever takes over inherits a short squad, low confidence and a long season ahead.