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Ex-Cardiff and Millwall boss becomes new manager at Gillingham

Ex-Cardiff and Millwall boss Neil Harris becomes the new manager at Gillingham as confirmed by the club statement on Monday.

Caretaker boss Steve Lovell said after Saturday’s horror loss that he was keen for a decision to be made on over if he was wanted until the end of the season, or not.

Bromley boss Andy Woodman – Gills’ previous target – turned down the chance to join on Sunday after his club issued a statement saying he had “decided to remain at Hayes Lane and concentrate on the job at hand.”

Harris, who was sacked by Cardiff City over a year ago, WAS up there on the the list of potential candidates from day one and was interviewed for the job.

KentOnline say he’s often spotted making an appearance to Priestfield over the years and knows the club well.

He had a spell with the Gills as a player during the 2005/06 season, in the same team as Michael Flynn, who has also been linked to the job.

Chairman Paul Scally is already under huge pressure from fans, with the attendance figure dropping down fast

CLUB STATEMENT:

Neil Harris is the new manager of Gillingham Football Club.

The Football Club is absolutely delighted to finally been able to secure the services of Neil Harris as first-team manager.

Neil, and David Livermore, started work with immediate effect on Monday morning by meeting the staff at 8am, and the players at midday.

Both individuals have agreed two-and-a-half year contracts, they will take training for the first time today and will be in charge for tomorrow’s Sky Bet League 1 fixture against Crewe Alexandra at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.

Chairman Paul Scally said: “It has been a difficult task over the past few weeks, interviewing and selecting the right candidate but I am delighted that with Neil’s experience, his knowledge and passion of this Football Club, and his desire to take the club on a new journey, that today is the start of a new tomorrow.

“After a difficult weekend, Neil’s first job will be to oversee any movement of players, in or out of the club today, and to prepare the team as best he can for tomorrow night’s game.

“I would ask all supporters who care and love the club, irrespective of their views on other matters, to come out and support the club in force tomorrow evening and focus solely on supporting the team and showing the new management team the respect and consideration they deserve, which will enable them to start the process of rebuilding the team.

“It won’t be an immediate fix but Neil will change the world for the better as quickly as possible. The work starts immediately.”

The former Millwall and Cardiff boss takes over from Steve Lovell, who has left the club following his interim spell in charge, with Steve Evans having left his position earlier in the month.

The Chairman added: “I spoke with Steve Lovell yesterday who has done a fantastic job in trying to sort the team out over the last few weeks; he is a legend at this Football Club and will always remain so, and I thank him for what he tried to do.”

The club would like to thank Steve for his efforts over the last few weeks, and extends a warm welcome to Neil Harris and David Livermore.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Lovell had been the man to deal with the January transfer window, leaving Harris, or someone else, with hardly any time to bring in any new additions.

“We need to get players in,” said Lovell on Saturday. He has his own plans in place if Scally opts to keep things as they are.

“I have lists and lists and targets to bring in and if I am here Monday then I will be working hard to try and get them in ready for Tuesday (at home against Crewe).”

It’s been three weeks since Steve Evans departed, so it’s easy to see why fans are angry at Paul Scally for not acting quicker.

On those players who have left the club, Lovell said: “If they weren’t my kind of players then there is no point of them being here, it is not fair to them as players, they need to go and play elsewhere. They weren’t going to be in the starting eleven and they want to play games, it is best. There could be a few more going out and a few more in, we will see how the weekend pans out.”

NEIL HARRIS’ MANAGERIAL STATS:

Millwall (caretaker) – 26 December 2013 until 7 January 2014 – 3 games, 0 wins, 1 draw, 2 defeats, 0.0 win %
Millwall – 10 March 2015 until 3 October 2019 – 245 games, 102 wins, 66 draws, 77 defeats, 41.6 win %
Cardiff City – 16 November 2019 until 21 January 2021 – 62 games, 24 wins, 18 draws, 20 defeats, 38.7 win %
Total – 310 games, 126 wins, 85 draws, 99 defeats, 40.6 win %

Twitter users have reacted as the ex-Cardiff and Millwall boss becomes the new manager at Gillingham…

@batfoylion: Be mad to go there

@JakeMoore_67: Neil Harris going to Gillingham is absolutely mental

@gfc_trenbog: Scally is in Dubai already no chance of players in my opinion but Harris will be announced at some point because Lovell fucked off last night

@stevewidgooseo1: would be a good deal for the Gills!

@HA_1893: Can’t believe Neil Harris actually wants the job 🤣🤣

@Joshuamorgan94: Brilliant appointment just a shame the damage has already been done

@brasenoseblue: What’s his budget? Will the loan be getting repaid so that the transfer embargo can be lifted?

@DannyGipson: @TheGillsFC If Lovell has walked then who is taking training today? Massive game tomorrow. Transfer deadline today. Tick tock Mr Scally. Your time is up #gills

@RGransden85: Come on @TheGillsFC, if the rumours about Lovell this morning are true then you can’t hang about waiting to make a statement…..#gills

 

@liamstanley01: Neil Harris gonna pull off the great escape

@cmfc1885: Didn’t expect him to go there!

@SD8716: Done a good job at Cardiff. Should have more time

@AntHedges: If true and as long as he’s given a decent contract term (2 & half years or so), I can see us having a fair chance of a play off push next season in League 2 rather than a double relegation. Here’s hoping to a new era

@trueblu83: Problem is Gillingham have a joke of a chairman doesn’t matter who is in charge, seems like a similar situation we were in under dave Allen tbh

@JamesCleal: Blimey. Did NOT see that coming!

@OllyM07: If Neil Harris has agreed to take over as manager he is mad, even as a fan I think I would turn down taking over as skipper of ship going down quicker than the titanic #Gills

@JPMillwall2: Harris to Gillingham is so weird. He said not long ago he’s turned down championship offers but is joining a club doomed to be in League 2. If he takes some of our dead wood I’m all for it though

@DomGFCBallard: Corrrrrrrrrrrr

@KianEason: as a cardiff fan he’s one of the best managers we’ve had. took us to the championship play offs. no offense but he’s much better than bottom half of league one, but that’s good news for you

@KyleSpenc: Out of all the mentioned candidates I felt Neil was the best fit to keep us up. Buzzing with this appointment

@MaxLewis070: Welcome Neil. There are rumours we are really bad but that isn’t true. We are really really bad. So no pressure!

@sbmc6695: From a Millwall fan I know there’s a bit of rivalry with us but hope Bomber keeps u up and does well 👍🏻 you got a good manager there

@bobster_86: Chuffed with this appointment. Good to have Neil back at the club. Massive challenge ahead to turn our fortunes around but got my backing

@ItsMarkWebster: Nice Old Kent Road, Blackheath, A2, M2 move. Good luck to him.

@matthewjamesali: Hope he smashes it. Top bloke.

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