According to Echo News, Gillingham has not been given the opportunity to speak with head coach Kevin Maher of National League team Southend United.
Since Neil Harris left the Priestfield on October 5th, the Gills have been looking for a new manager. The article claims that Ron Martin, the chairman of the Shrimpers, has declined to meet with Maher regarding the Kent club’s managerial opening.
A club spokesperson said to the Echo: “The club can confirm that it has refused Gillingham permission to speak with Kevin.
“Kevin, supported by Darren, Mark and John are doing a brilliant job, for which everyone at the club is grateful.
“We are on a journey and they are all an important part of it.”
Maher has been at Roots Hall for two years, and has had to contend with a number of obstacles, including an ongoing transfer embargo and a 10 point deduction at the beginning of the season.
The Ilford-born manager played for both Southend and Gillingham during his playing career, including captaining the Shrimpers to two successive promotions to League One and the Championship.
The southerners are currently in 14th place in the National League and are six points away from the play-off places after 18 matches. They are on a seven-game unbeaten run, ahead of two tough clashes against Altrincham and current league leaders Chesterfield.
Gillingham are sat in eighth place in the League Two table and have picked up two wins and four losses since dismissing the 46-year-old Harris. Harris had led the Gills to the top of League Two at the start of the campaign, but a lack of goals and attacking prowess led the club to make the decision to part company.
Writer’s View
It is clear why Southend United’s chair Ron Martin has turned down Gillingham’s approach: he believes Kevin Maher is the best person to guide the team back to the EFL. Maher’s stability is essential in the short term for the club to return to the fourth tier, as the Shrimpers are about to undergo a takeover. A 47-year-old Essex club hero, don’t expect to see him leaving anytime soon, however if he’s looking for a new challenge, a large opportunity from a formidable League Two team might persuade him.
If Gillingham want to remain in the running for promotion this season, they need to find a manager, and they need to do it quickly. Their hunt for Neil Harris’ replacement has turned into a nightmare, haemorrhaging points to clubs they should beat.
If it comes down to the finest of margins come May, will Gills fans look to this period as the reason why they are stuck in League Two next season? Maher may be the right man for the job, but it looks unlikely he is leaving Roots Hall any time soon.
Leave a Reply