In an exclusive interview with KSN, Andy Hessenthaler talks about his 4th spell at Gillingham, the challenges ahead, his appetite for a new role in a “young man’s game” and his relationships with both Neil Harris and Kenny Jackett.

“I’m delighted to be back,” he told us. “It’s an opportunity to work with the new owner and Kenny Jackett coming in too as Director of Football, they’re exciting times for the Club.”

“We know that we’re in a really precarious position at the moment being bottom of the League, but for me the only way is up – we’ve still got sixty nine points to play for!”

“We all know that we’ve got to start winning games to climb the table and then we can go from there. Ultimately our aim is to get some new players into the Club.”

Hessenthaler moved back to Priestfield after stepping down from the manager’s position at Dover Athletic and reflected on his time at Crabble.

“It’s been really toug for the Club the last couple of years and whilst some people understood the decision, I think that some didn’t – we were always clear with the way the Club was and it was in a good place.”

“But sadly no one could have envisaged what was going to happen and came along with the pandemic, and it crippled Dover as a club!”

“It’s been really difficult for Chairman Jim Parmenter – he’s on his own – and I think that he’s found it very difficult and it hasn’t got any easier. But you have to give him full credit and he’s kept fighting and there’s still a club there too which at one stage we didn’t think was going to be.”

His move back to the Gills came as a surprise to many – he explained “It was talked about for a while. When the takeover was announced I got a phone call out of the blue from Neil (Harris) and he basically said to me that the Club want to bring you in, and we can now make it happen; would you like to meet the new owner?”

“I didn’t think it was going to happen, but it did… it was a nice surprise, and we had a good chat and we’re all delighted with the outcome!”

“I played with Neil at the Club when he came on loan from Forest, I think. We’ve known each other for a while – he’s a good man who’s finding it tough at the moment.”

“Kenny and I are in to try and help him get some new players in and that’s what we’re focusing on in the coming weeks.”

“When I first went to Watford, Kenny was the reserve team manager after his illustrious career had been cut short because of injury and I remember when Glenn Roeder the manager left and before Graham Taylor returned, Kenny was interim manager for a while.”

“I was out of contract and to be fair to Kenny, he was one who tried to keep me when I said I was leaving. I’ve know Ken for twenty odd years, and we’ve kept in touch down the years in different managers jobs – speaking about players – he’s a proper football man and going into the role as a Director of Football is perfect for him now as he doesn’t want to be a manager anymore.”

Reacting to the arrival of Hessenthaler and Jackett, manager Harris should be looking over his shoulder, but as Hessie said “it’s not the case! We’ve come in to help and support Neil!”

“I’ve had this role in the back of mind for a while now – I love watching games, I love watching players. I’ve got a lot of contacts in the lower leagues and Kenny to be fair has spent the last seven months just watching games. He knows different players and like me knows the National League as well.”

“I’ve had my time at Gillingham as manager and really enjoyed it making history getting to the highest level the Club has ever reached. My role is just now to support Neil along with Kenny, who’s had the opportunities to go and be a manager again, but he feels that this is the time for him to move into another role for his future.”

“We don’t get any younger – he’s sixty and I’m fifty-seven – it’s a young man’s game now management I think, so we’re the older ones to support Neil and we all want to get this team up the table – it’s exciting times, nervous times but everyone must stay positive!”

“The Chairman is a fantastic guy who has a vision for the Football Club. He’s so enthusiastic and pro-active. It’s all new to him but he’s listening as he’s a very intelligent guy – it’s exciting to be working for him, and” he added with a smile on his face,” I haven’t heard him call the game soccer yet either!”