Gareth Ainsworth says the promise of a long-term plan was too good to resist after he was unveiled as the new manager of Gillingham FC this week.
The 50-year-old left his post at League One strugglers Shrewsbury Town to sign on at Priestfield, where he’ll lead a two-year project aimed at rebuilding the club’s fortunes. Despite Shrewsbury offering fresh terms, Ainsworth chose to head south, with Gillingham triggering a release clause to secure his services.
It’s the latest in a long line of changes for the Gills, who have gone through four managers in a short space of time. But club owners Brad and Shannon Galinson are convinced they’ve now found the right man to steer the ship with assistant Richard Dobson joining him once again.
‘Huge Decision’
“It was a huge decision for me,” said Ainsworth. “I was happy at Shrewsbury. I didn’t take this lightly. But when I met with Brad and Shannon and Joe (Comper), and saw the plan – not just words, a proper plan – that’s what really made the difference.”
“They fought hard to keep me, did everything they could… but here at Gillingham, the plans were outlined. Very exciting and guaranteed plans. ‘This is what’s happening, this is what you’ve got’. This is a two-year journey that we want you to be part of.”
Backed by ownership and close to home
Gillingham’s new boss also pointed to the appeal of returning closer to family after spending time in Shropshire, noting that personal life played a key part in the switch.
Shrewsbury currently sit bottom of League One, and while the move may raise eyebrows from a competitive standpoint, Ainsworth insists the pull wasn’t about league position – it was about long-term purpose.
His appointment signals a desire for stability at a club that has struggled for consistency in the dugout. Since Neil Harris was sacked in October 2023, three others have come and gone, with John Coleman the most recent to be relieved after just 14 games.
Now, the Gills are putting faith in continuity. Speaking on behalf of the board, Shannon Galinson said the club had recognised their own mistakes and were determined to reset with the right people in place.
“We realised there was one thing that we’d not been good at – continuity,” she admitted. “So, we looked for a two-year plan with a management team we believe in. Gareth and Richard tick all the boxes.”
Ainsworth takes charge of a Gillingham side sitting mid-table in League Two, but with ambition to climb. The nine remaining games this season offer a testing ground before the real work begins this summer.
Site opinion
This feels like a bold and timely step for both Ainsworth and Gillingham. He walks away from a firefight at Shrewsbury into a club that finally wants to think beyond the next result. The two-year plan might not bring instant glory – but if patience prevails, it could be the start of something far more sustainable at Priestfield.
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