Gillingham’s former head coach Stephen Clemence will be back in the dugout next season after linking up with his old boss Steve Bruce.
Clemence got his first taste of managing a side at Gillingham but his tenure ended in the sack and his time after that at Barrow was also cut short after a poor run of form.
Bruce recently backed his long-time no.2 to bounce back in football, and has now handed him a way back in as part of his backroom team at League 1 Blackpool.
He’s joined former Gills player Bruce as first-team coach with the Seasiders.
The pair have previously worked together at the likes of Aston Villa, Hull City and Newcastle United.
Clemence was hoping to make it as the main man after taking over as Gillingham’s head coach in November 2023, but things didn’t go to plan.
He was sacked after six months in charge, shortly after the end of the 2023/24 season where the Gills finished 12th in League 2.
He went onto manage at Barrow, in the same division, and at one time the team were riding high in the league, alongside his former team.
His Barrow side also reached the third round of the Carabao Cup where they played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
A run of bad results, however, saw them drop to 17th in the table and he was sacked in January of this year.
Clemence starts his new job this Thursday, when the Blackpool players return for pre-season, ahead of a training camp in Spain.
He told the club: “It’s great to be back in the game and to be working alongside the gaffer, the rest of the staff and the players.
“I’ve both played and worked alongside the gaffer for a number of years now, and have enjoyed some great moments, not least the three promotions we have shared.
“I’m really happy to be joining Blackpool and looking forward to the future.”
Bruce added: “I’ve worked with Clem for a number of years now and I’m pleased to welcome him to the club.
“He’s a talented coach and will will add a great deal to the coaching setup. I’m looking forward to working with him once again.”
