League Two club sack manager with stunned fans left saying ‘didn’t see that happening’ after mixed start to season
GILLINGHAM have sacked manager Neil Harris.
The League Two side fell to eighth in the table following their 2-0 defeat at Crewe on Tuesday night.
Harris, 46, joined Gillingham in January 2022 having previously managed Millwall and Cardiff.
The former striker couldn’t prevent the Gills from League One relegation during his first half-season in charge.
He subsequently guided them to a 17th finish in League Two amid a takeover last term.
In a club statement, the Gills confirmed: “Gillingham Football Club has today decided to part company with Manager Neil Harris, who has been in charge at Priestfield for just over 20 months.
“Having joined the Club in February of 2022, Neil nearly kept the team in League One, getting relegated on the last day of the season on goal difference, making up a 10-point deficit in the process.
“The Club has decided it now wishes to go in a different direction and will begin the process of identifying a Head Coach to take the team forward.”
Harris’ assistant David Livermore has also departed Priestfield.
Gillingham have confirmed that Keith Millen will step in as interim boss while they conduct their new manager search.
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Millen, 57, has previously managed Bristol City and Carlisle United, as well as Swedish side Orgryte IS.
He also had three spells as Crystal Palace‘s caretaker boss.
Fans have had a mixed reaction to Harris’ dismissal.
One tweeted: “Never saw that coming.”
While a second wrote: “Bit of a dip in form and sacked? Seems a strange one.”
Another fan replied, however: “Bit of a dip of form? We’ve not played well even when winning.”
A further social media user commented: “Do feel for Neil but was never going to be anything but a mid table side watching a defensive minded team I do feel he has created a brilliant team that can really achieve in this league but hasn’t been able to execute it I wish him all the best thank you for everything!”
And a fourth added: “That’s come out of the blue! Not too sad about it though, hopefully a new manager will get the best out of what is a very talented squad.”
Harris won 31 of his 90 games in charge of Gillingham, drawing 25 and losing 34.
The Gills are set to host MK Dons on Saturday.