Gillingham have appointed Gareth Ainsworth as their new manager following the departure of John Coleman.

The 51-year-old has signed an agreement which runs until the end of the 2026/27 season. Gareth is joined at MEMS Priestfield Stadium by his long-term assistant, Richard Dobson.

They take charge with immediate effect and will be in the dugout for Saturday’s Sky Bet League 2 fixture at Harrogate Town.

After making over 650 appearances during his playing career, Ainsworth progressed into management and guided Wycombe Wanderers from League Two to the Championship and subsequently managed Queens Park Rangers and Shrewsbury Town.

He departs Shropshire to take the helm at Priestfield, with a compensation package having been agreed with Shrewsbury.

Gareth will speak with Kent Sports News on Thursday when he is unveiled to the local media.

Ainsworth becomes Gillingham’s fifth manager in little over 18 months following Neil Harris, Stephen Clemence, Mark Bonner and Coleman.

Gills fans will hope he can be the man to get this underperforming squad to fire and sitting 19th in League Two, will also hope the new manager can get the side to climb the table between now and the end of the campaign.

From there, Ainsworth will now have time to assess this current squad and decide which players he wishes to keep and who he needs to bring in ahead of the 25/26 campaign.