Gillingham are searching for a manager to lead them to promotion next season – but some of the potential candidates are still chasing promotion.
Stephen Clemence was relieved of his duties as head coach on Monday after six months in the job, with the club opting to give someone else the opportunity to build a promotion-winning side this summer.
More: Clem’s six months in numbers
Whoever comes in will know the pressure will be on immediately but should also be well-backed by the owners as they strive to get out of League 2.
The Gills may well revisit some of the managers that were in the hunt back in October as a replacement for Neil Harris was needed.
Crawley Town boss Scott Lindsey was understood to have been high on their list of targets and reported to have been interviewed twice.
Former Chatham Town boss Lindsey was left frustrated by Gills’ month-long search to replace Harris and said at the time: “Fair play to them they are doing their due diligence but it just keeps going on and on, and people are questioning me.
“I understand why the link is there but I have just got to concentrate on what I am doing.
“I just hope Gillingham appoints quickly now because it’s half getting on my nerves to be honest with you.”
Gillingham eventually appointed Clemence in early November.
Lindsey has guided Crawley into a top-seven finish this season and won’t want to be distracted from their play-off hopes. They host MK Dons on Monday (May 6) in the first game of a two-legged semi-final.
Another manager previously tipped to take over at the Gills is Bromley boss Andy Woodman.
A goalkeeper during his playing days, he was head goalie coach at Arsenal before turning to management, initially at non-league side Whitehawk before moving to Bromley, where he had previously attracted the interest of the Gills.
During Gills’ hunt for a successor to Steve Evans they were granted permission to talk to Woodman but he decided to stay with them. He went onto lead Bromley to FA Trophy success at Wembley that season.
He’s heading back to Wembley this weekend (Sunday, May 5) in the National League promotion final where they meet Solihull Moors for a place in the EFL.
Southend United boss Kevin Maher is another manager the Gills enquired about when searching for a manager back in October, but were denied the opportunity to make an official approach.
Maher – a former Gills player – has continued to defy the odds as Southend boss, ensuring the Blues have a competitive team on the field despite horrendous issues off it.
Southend finished just outside the play-offs this season – but only because of a 10-point deduction over money owed to HM Revenue & Customs.
Former MK Dons, Charlton and Oxford United manager Karl Robinson was another name in the frame last time out but he’s since taken over at Salford City, who finished way down in 20th place in League 2.
An early favourite with the bookmakers is Gareth Ainsworth.
The 50-year-old is currently out of work after being sacked by Championship side QPR at the end of October, leaving the club second from bottom in the table at the time.
He had previously spent 11 years at Wycombe Wanderers where he enjoyed success in the lower leagues, winning promotion from League 2 in 2018 and into the Championship two years later. Relegation followed before making it to the League 1 play-off final in 2022, where they lost to Sunderland.
Gillingham were inundated with coach’s and manager’s CVs last time out and any hopefuls are unlikely to be put off by the pressure to succeed as there’s every chance of success next time out in League 2, with a competitive budget.
Pembury-born Ben Garner, who is known to like a possession-based style of attacking football, is likely to be among the numerous coaches looking at the Gills as another opportunity to succeed. Style of play will be a key factor for the club board.
Garner, 43, took Swindon Town into the play-offs but early promise at Charlton ended in the sack before an unsuccessful spell as manager at Colchester United.
Michael Duff is out of work after being sacked by Swansea City in December 2023 but before that had led Barnsley to the League 1 play-off final after previously winning promotion from League 2 with Cheltenham Town.
Gillingham’s failure to win promotion this season means there’s more chance that the club will push the boat out to bring in the talent they need to succeed next time around.
