Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth insists his way is the right way as he plots a steady course for success.
Ainsworth is certain he can bring joy to Priestfield but has reminded fans that it’s no quick fix.
Making it into the play-offs this season is a long-shot, and would be a bonus, for a manager who has been tasked with improving the club’s fortunes by the end of next season.
Ainsworth said: “[I have] the backing of [managing director] Joe Comper and the Galinsons going, ‘This is the plan we’ve set out and this is what we want you to do’. I can’t rush it. I don’t want to rush it.
“If anything comes [this season] it’s a bonus. But the plan will be the plan.
“I want to hopefully have this club fighting for promotion to League 1 by the end of next season. Whether it happens or not, we’ll see.
“If you look back at football clubs and see how they have done it, you sometimes get the manager that comes in and turns everything around quickly. Certain types of managers like Neil Warnock, Steve Evans and Sam Allardyce.
“With other managers, and I’ll put myself in that bracket, I think time is something [that is] important. We build, I don’t ever treat people badly. I give everyone a chance. I treat everyone with a real human touch. That’s hard when you have to change things really quickly.
“I believe my way is the right way because eventually, in time, you gain more trust, you gain more respect and I think that gets you success over a long period of time.
“There are other people, and other clubs that will go, ‘Come in, quick fix, keep us up’. That works as well. I’m not saying anyone’s wrong, I’m just telling you my way.
“My way is building a club and a culture that I want to be very proud of, that everyone buys into, and it’s a joy to come into work.
“This is a brilliant place. It’s a fantastic football club, and I love being the manager.”
The Gills head to Crewe this weekend, sitting eight points off the play-off places in League 2 with 17 games remaining.
Success is still possible this season but Ainsworth knows patience is important.
He had a challenging first full season at Wycombe before taking them into the play-offs in the following campaign. Three years later they were promoted, and then two seasons after that they won promotion to the Championship.
“I think that [patience] is something that should be given,” he said.
“I think the average tenure of a manager is about nine months, which is absolutely insane, especially in the EFL.
“You can’t really do anything in any job, never mind football, where people are under contracts and you can’t change things for every six months [in the transfer window].
“It is insane that managers are expected to change something so quickly. Especially, usually, when a new manager comes in, it’s because something’s gone wrong.
“It’s not like I’m going in and changing Manchester City, which has been on a fantastic run and you think, ‘I don’t need to do much to it’. It’s big changes.
“You find out what’s gone wrong, why it’s gone wrong, what you want to do and what your process is and how you want your style to be. I spoke to Brad [Galinson, the chairman] after the Notts County game, just before he flew home [to America], and we had exactly the same chat. He’s saying, ‘Gareth, I am so excited for what’s coming’.
“Like me, he also would take the play-offs this year. Of course we would, we’re not stupid. We’ll see what happens.
“I’m hoping that people will say, ‘Actually, we’re definitely on the upward slope’, but everyone’s got their own opinions. It’s mine that matters when the team selection comes out and the way we play. So, luckily, it went well [last Saturday] and I thank the boys.”
The Gills beat Tranmere 2-1 and have won three of their last five. It’s a definite upturn in form and has been helped with the arrival of defender Omar Beckles and striker Ronan Hale. Midfielder Cameron Antwi has yet to make a start.
Ainsworth knows that there is still plenty to play for.
“Three wins out of five – that’s decent form,” he said. “We’re on the right track now.
“Eight points turns around in two weeks. It’s ridiculous. You can be right up there or you can be further away in a couple of weeks.
“We have some winnable games coming up, without a doubt. We have some of the biggest teams away from home, but we also have a lot of teams at home that I believe we should be beating.
“I think it’s going to be an interesting end to the season. I’m not making any promises, but this club, by the end of my contract, which is the end of next season, will be a better club than when I came in.”
