Gillingham sack their manager and announce his replacement less than an hour later

Gillingham sack their manager and announce his replacement less than an hour later, leaving fans rather surprised on Sunday evening.

The League Two side waved goodbye to Mark Bonner, after a dismal run of form, where the team found themselves in 14th position after a string of defeats, including a 3-0 loss at home to Bromley on the 2nd of January.

As soon as Bonner’s departure was announced, the club then decided to reveal John Coleman as his replacement.

Coleman, previously with Accrington Stanley, was appointed with his long-term assistant Jimmy Bell, and they are set to take charge of their first game against Fleetwood Town.

This swift managerial change was confirmed by the club’s managing director, Joe Comper, who expressed confidence in Coleman’s ability to steer the team towards a successful second half of the season.

The club can confirm that it has parted company with First-Team Manager, Mark Bonner.#Gills

— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) January 5, 2025

The post-match thoughts of #Gills boss, Mark Bonner. pic.twitter.com/8Ug35ZfnUf

— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) January 2, 2025

GILLINGHAM STATEMENT:

Club confirms departure of First-Team Manager Mark Bonner

The club can confirm that it has parted company with First-Team Manager, Mark Bonner.

Mark arrived at MEMS Priestfield Stadium in May 2024 following the departure of Stephen Clemence and managed 28 games across all competitions.

Managing Director, Joe Comper said: “Mark is a top guy, a top professional and has given absolutely everything he could have given to help the club succeed.

“We liked him from the moment we met him, and we still do, which makes this decision even tougher.

“The staff have thoroughly enjoyed working with him, however, we felt if we were going to achieve something this season with what we believe to be a very talented group of players, we needed to make a change to give us the best possible opportunity of getting to where we want to be come the start of May.

“With regret we have decided to part company. I would like to place on record my thanks to Mark and I wish every success for the future.”

The club can confirm that Assistant Manager, Anthony Hayes, will also leave his role.

We would like to thank Mark and Anthony for their efforts while at MEMS Priestfield Stadium and we expect to make a further announcement regarding the management of the team later this evening.

The Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of John Coleman as our First-Team Manager until the end of the season. #Gills

— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) January 5, 2025

FURTHER STATEMENT FROM GILLINGHAM

John Coleman to take charge as First-Team Manager until the end of the season

The Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of John Coleman, who will take over as our First-Team Manager until the end of the season.

The 62-year-old, who has previously managed Accrington Stanley and Rochdale, will take charge with immediate effect and will be joined by his long-term assistant, Jimmy Bell.

Their first game in charge will be Saturday’s home fixture against Fleetwood Town.

Coleman has previously guided Accrington to promotion from League 2 (2017-18), having also helped the club gain promotion to the EFL in 2006.

Managing Director, Joe Comper, said: “I am delighted that John and Jimmy have agreed to join us. John brings a wealth of experience to the Football Club but, having met him, he retains a huge amount of hunger to be successful.

“He knows the league well, he is familiar with our group of players and has even managed a couple of them while with his previous club.

“We still have high hopes and a real belief that the season can end on a high with a good second-half of the campaign, and I’m confident John and Jimmy are the people to make that happen.”

We officially welcome both John and Jimmy to the club. John will speak to club media for the first time on Monday.

This is how fans reacted as Gillingham sack their manager and announce his replacement less than an hour later…

@SteveWatso71980: Congratulations to the players for throwing another manager under the bus! The three can’t all be that bad!

@AdrianS68692778: let be honest the galinson have quoted life in league 2 not up for discussion and the fact that despite the lack of effort from the player’s it always the manager that carries the can .. personal I would like to seen the ehmer stripped of he’s captain. and many more out the door

@MJPhippsy: Wishing you all the very best Mark. A true gent who gave his all. Can’t ask for more, no matter how it turned out. 💙

@ShaneDeville86: “with what we believe to be a very talented group of players” – I have a feeling these players will let down another manager. I hope they prove me wrong come the end of the season but I’m not optimistic.

@AntHedges: I do feel for him, although some of his tactical decisions haven’t helped, I really wanted him to succeed. Wasn’t afraid to call out the lack of desire & commitment in the squad and ultimately it’s them that have managed to get a 3rd manager sacked! Now to start a player cull

@ElmoGills: Not too surprised. I was happy to give him time but the Bromley game was the last straw. Unacceptable both in terms of application, tactics and effort. Onwards and upwards. UTGs 👊👊👊

@RANGERS_1983: I’m no expert but from a distance it looks like the owners are continually being let down by so called football men within the club. Bad signings and under performing overpaid players.

@WesleyJBaker: The new manager is known for his attacking, possession-based style of play. He favours a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing quick passing, pressing, and creating chances through wide areas. His teams are often praised for their attacking flair and ability to score goals. The Gills have looked good on our wings but Bonner was playing long ball crap, so maybe this will be a brilliant appointment. He has never really has a massive budget but produced great teams so let’s see what he does now he has money available and a good number of players that are capable. I bet Dack is excited about the opportunity to play football instead of headball!

@cragglerox81: Harris done dirty by Scally. Clemence / Bonner done by the players. If Coleman can’t get a change in attitude I don’t think anyone will. Rumours he’s been consulting on recruitment so hopefully we will sign some and he will stay on as Director of football. #Gills

@ShaneDeville86: Decent appointment. Good call on a deal until the end of the season. Hopefully he knocks some sense into some of the players. Makes some big changes *cough “captaincy”*

@ASFCPlayers: Seems a no lose appointment. Gillingham unlikely to go up. Getting Coley in gives the club time before appointing a new manager. If Coley does well, he gets the job longer term.

@scottbrown85: No better man for that job!! Strap yourselves in for some good times. He will get the absolute best out of every player there whose good enough 🤝🏼

@dunnoguv: Hopefully he is strong enough to sort out the current bunch of wasters masquerading as a Gills team

@aligills10: I really hope Max Ehmer is stripped of the captaincy, Coleman needs to kick some players up the fucking arse and hes the main candidate, along with them 12 or so players who’ve sacked 3 managers #Gills

@jamesrtingley: Seems that the appointment of John Coleman has achieved the unthinkable….. Reunited the #Gills fan base. It was desperately needed and hopefully we can collectively back the team for the rest of the season, starting with the 2 back-to-back home games coming up. #UpTheGills

@DannyGipson: John Coleman is exactly the kind of appointment that should’ve been made straight after Harris went. I think/hope that some harsh lessons have been learnt by the owners & the MD. Getting out of L2 isn’t about playing fancy football it’s about getting the job done #gills