Assistant takes reigns of Gillingham as Gareth Ainsworth undergoes heart surgery

Assistant Richard Dobson takes reigns of Gillingham as manager Gareth Ainsworth undergoes a routine heart surgery.

It was announced that Ainsworth will absent for a few weeks, after an issue was detected during a routine League Managers’ Association health check.

Ainsworth steps away temporarily off the back of Gillingham’s 1-0 defeat to Harrogate Town at the weekend, ending their unbeaten run as Swindon Town and Walsall overtook them in the League Two table.

Gaffer to have planned medical procedure.#Gills

— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) September 28, 2025

CLUB STATEMENT:

Gillingham Football Club wishes to inform supporters that Gareth Ainsworth will be away from the club for a short period of time, as he undergoes planned cardiac surgery, flagged during routine tests carried out as part of the LMA’s health checks.

In his absence, Gareth’s long term Assistant, Richard Dobson, will take the reins of first team affairs. Richard has worked alongside Gareth throughout his whole managerial career at Wycombe, QPR and Shrewsbury.

Gareth said: “I went for the LMA health check in May and they found something with my heart. I’ve got to have heart surgery this week. It sounds dramatic, but it’s a routine thing they do.

“This has all been planned. Get behind Dobbo and the team, they will be stepping up. I’ll be off for a few weeks, and then I’ll be back.”

Brad Galinson said: “We’ve known for many weeks about Gareth’s upcoming surgery. In typical Gareth style, he was deliberating about the best time to have it, but Shannon and I were concerned about only one thing – Gareth getting the surgery as early as possible. His health alone is the priority here, so it was not a conversation as far as we were concerned.

“When we appointed the best manager in League Two back in March, we also felt we were getting the best Assistant Manager in the league, so we have no doubt the team is in safe hands in Gareth’s absence. We ask now that the fans, as they always do, get right behind the boys and Dobbo.”

The club wishes Gareth a speedy recovery and looks forward to his return.

Interviewer: “Well we’re here speaking to Gareth Ainsworth after the game against Harrogate Town at Priestfield. No doubt already looking forward to the game against Milton Keynes Dons next week. However, as fans are probably finding out as I talk, you’re not going to be at the game personally Gareth, just talk to us through why that is the case.”

Gareth: “Yeah, we wanted to put a video out so there’s no rumours going around and it can be in context. I went for the LMA health check back in May, found something with my heart.”

“I’ve got to heart surgery this week so sounds dramatic but obviously it’s a routine thing they do.

“But I’m going to be missing for probably three or four games and all I can say is get behind Dobbo and the team.

“They’re going to be stepping up and taking the football. It’s been brilliant. I’m loving it here.

“But this has been all planned. We’ve had this planned and it’s needed. The surgery is needed. You can’t mess about with the heart, and all I can say is the LMA health check has flagged this up which is fantastic.

“People should probably go and get health checks because I had no symptoms but yeah, we’re looking at sort of three or four games and then I’ll be back.”

Interviewer: “You’ve got a great team haven’t you, I’m sure. I know you don’t like missing games, I don’t know if you’ve missed any before in your management career but you’ve got a fantastic team and I doubt you’ll be supporting from wherever you can support.”

Gareth: “Yeah absolutely, listen, Dobbo’s got a great record, I’ve had a back operation and I think I was out for Covid for a couple of games, so I was at a good rehearsal, so he’ll be absolutely fine stepping up.

“I told the boys after the game as well, they all know, but yeah, I wanted to do it with obviously respect for my family and all that, I just wanted out there in the right context, because people will come up with all sorts of rumours, yeah, heart surgery this week coming, I’ll be off for a few weeks and I’ll be back, so yeah, can’t wait and hope you the chills.

Interviewer: “Absolutely. Gareth, obviously on behalf of every Gillingham fan, wish you a speedy recovery and hopefully you’re back sooner rather than later.”

On defeat to Harrogate: “We gave Harrogate something to defend. We gave them something to hold onto, and they defended stoutly. You have got to give credit to them. My players have given everything, and it is the lack of a goal, really. We had a couple of corners that flashed by the far post, and we had one cleared off the line. We had a couple of shots, and they were all blocked. We’ve let an easy-ish goal in. He’s a good player [Stephen] Duke-McKenna. I had him at QPR, and we spoke about him before the game, but listen, I will have my boys any day.

“Harrogate are always a dangerous side. I have told that to a lot of people. They have beaten some big teams and have some good players. Simon Weaver has organised them and prepared them well. We have got to take our hats off to them and say well done for doing the job, and we have done it to other teams this season.

“You do learn plenty from a defeat. I learnt that it wasn’t a lack of effort from my boys. When you do get beat, you look into it, and quickly you can look and say, ‘You know what, the boys didn’t turn up today.’ They gave everything. They were flying into tackles and going into headers. You can see the passion that they have for the club, and the fans match it.

“What I have learnt is that we’re in a good place. I am sure that this season is going to be an exciting one.”

“[On Bradley Dack] – It’s nothing serious. It’s nothing like his previous injuries. Robbie McKenzie was just a little bit tight. We protected them. That’s what we have to do sometimes. When we look at the long game, it is the right decision to make. You may sacrifice a few minutes for one player, to make sure that they play the next minutes, because Robbie has been brilliant this season, and Bradley as well last week. He was fantastic with his finishes.

“They were brilliant. I think that for what this group of fans have been through over the past few seasons, thank you, because you dug deep today. I realise that.

“I stay in the town once a week, and I get fans coming up to me and they are saying, ‘Thanks for what you are doing.’ I am now saying to the fans, thanks for what you are doing, because you are getting right behind these boys, and that means a lot to them. You don’t realise how important the support and positive vibes are.

“You can feel them inside the stadium. When it goes the other way, you can feel that too. I don’t like the other way.

“I will fight for anything with this group of boys, but I haven’t just got the squad, I have got the fans as well. That’s superb to have.”

Assistant Richard Dobson takes reigns of Gillingham as Gareth Ainsworth undergoes heart surgery, here’s how fans reacted…

Big love to our greatest ever manager. Speedy recovery 🩵💙 pic.twitter.com/TsPCA6rFAN

— ComradeBT (@ComradeBT) September 28, 2025

@ShoutingMenPod: Good luck and speedy recovery Gaffer. The squad is in good hands with Dobbo, back top of the league in time for your return!!!

@dansheppard1985: From a QPR fan who looks out for Ex-Players, wishing you well Gareth and a speedy recovery

@Gills_Stats: All the best Gareth. You’ve got a lot of people wishing you a speedy recovery but not any quicker than it ought to be!

@AlexHamWxm: As a Shrewsbury fan I should dislike him, I don’t, our Chairman sold him a dream. Best of luck with it. 👍

@RobHawley81: Take all the time you need, your health is the most important thing. I’m sure the players, staff and fans will pull together and continue your great work for however long is needed.

@ridleycrag1: Best wishes for successful surgery and recovery. Come back when you’re ready. #InDobboWeTrust

@Leemajorgfc1986: All the best Gareth hope it goes well for you and you make a speedy recovery. Looking forward to seeing you back in the dug out soon UTG

@WycombeDJ: Best wishes Gazza! Hopefully you’re back and at it on no time

@steven_george: Wishing Gareth Ainsworth all the best. Health of course comes first and hopefully he’ll be back in a few weeks #gills

@Naylor94: Absolutely the right thing to put Gareth’s health first. Wishing him all the best with the op and his recovery. Time to get our next 21 game unbeaten run started at MK Dons.