At Gillingham, terms for a new head coach have been finalized, and chairman Brad Galinson anticipates announcing the appointment this week.
Mr. Galinson has been in charge of a meticulous search for a replacement for Neil Harris, who was fired on October 5.
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The Gills are going down the route of a head coach, rather than a traditional manager.
The chairman was keen to offer an update to fans, explaining the key areas they looked at when making their decision.
Speaking on Monday morning, he said: “We think we have found that person and we expect to have an announcement this week, (in the) next couple of days.
“It took a long time but I think because we didn’t want to settle, I think we have found the right person who is very exciting and that will fit our club, for the long term.
“It is down to just documentation at this point. There have been multiple discussions, multiple interviews and terms have been agreed. It is just finalising the contract, tweaking it, red lining it, that sort of thing. We are pretty much there.”
He explained the four key areas they looked at, saying: “We wanted to make sure the manager realises it is the players first, not the manager first.
“Specifically (that he) cares about things like ‘are they married, do they have children, where do they live, how can they be a better player, do they need to be arm around, or told directly’, very much a player-first organisation.
“Secondly, we wanted to make sure the culture and the personality of the manager fits very specifically with what we are trying to build at Priestfield; transparency, collaboration, communication, very open, very group setting, one club and one vision, and we happily and transparently work together.
Along with integrity and charisma, we also need someone who can laugh and grin and understand that, at the end of the day, this is the greatest job ever and that we want to have fun while winning. We wanted to confirm that the manager’s disposition and cultural fit truly matched our group.
The playing style comes in third. Above all, we wanted to ensure that the individual we choose is naturally bold, fearless, risk-taking, quick on the uptake, expansive, entertaining, and successful all at once.
“Obviously, there are situations where direct football must be used, but we want to create something a little bolder and more courageous. We wanted to confirm that the manager has that mindset by nature. and plays that way, without even being told, that is just the way they think.
“For the final one, I wanted the manager who works the hardest in the stadium and stays late because he is always thinking about formations, football, and how we are going to play the next team.
Because that is who he is—someone who loves the game, lives it, and would do it for free without asking for payment—he is the first person in the morning and the last person to go.
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