GATESHEAD have appointed former Sunderland manager Malcolm Crosby as their new boss.

Crosby, 60, was most recently head of recruitment at Blackpool and he has signed a one-year rolling contract on Tyneside to replace Gary Mills, who took charge at Wrexham at the end of last season.

The Conference club last season finished in mid-table, a disappointment for the Heed having reached the play-off final 12 months previously.

Crosby said: “I’m very happy to become the new manager of Gateshead. The club has been successful in the last couple of years, and has come on a long way.

“The challenge ahead is a great one. It is a tough job, obviously, because there are a number of very competitive teams in the league.

“But, that’s the joy of football. I’m ambitious, and I believe I can bring success to this club.

“I have got to sit down with the chairman and talk about the squad. I do not want to make massive changes, because the players have done well as a group over the last couple of years.

“I’ll be looking to bring in an assistant within the next week.

“To kick-off with a pre-season game with Newcastle United is fantastic – it promises be a great test for us, and a special night for the club as a whole.”

Gateshead chairman Graham Wood added: “I have known Malcolm for a long time, and I’m delighted that he’s agreed to come to Gateshead.

“He is a well-known and highly respected figure throughout football, as well as an excellent coach with a reputation for developing young players.

“He is fully familiar with teams and players at our level and above – in addition to all levels of the Scottish game.

“The work of assembling a squad for another promotion push will commence on Monday, when the manager will begin meeting with existing players.”

Crosby took Sunderland to the 1992 FA Cup Final and later managed Oxford United. He has also had spells as assistant boss at West Bromwich Albion, Derby County and Middlesbrough.